Sociology at Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,190/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
16.3x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Sociology graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $570K | $563K | $518K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.5x | 16.3x | 15.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.5x | 7.4x | 6.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,568
Out-of-state: $76,328 (7.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,868
71% growth from Year 1
About Shepherd University
Shepherd University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 2,375 students in Shepherdstown, WV.
See all programs and financial aid at Shepherd University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Sociologists
$101,690/yr
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
$82,540/yr
Compare & Explore
Sociology at Other Schools
Other Majors at Shepherd University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Shepherd University's Sociology program score?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Sociology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Sociology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Shepherd University rank so high for Sociology?
The #72 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →