Home › Sonoma State University › Sociology

Sociology at Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,896/yr (10% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)

ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #6 of 414 Sociology programs Top 1%

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	$597K	$588K	$537K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.2x	17.9x	16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.4x	7.3x	6.7x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	55	52

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,760

Out-of-state: $80,280 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,204

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,000

5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,652

65% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Sonoma State University's Sociology graduates start at $37,896/yr — above the $34,392 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Sociology's typical career paths, with 42% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,000 in median debt clears quickly against $37,896 in annual earnings.

Ranked #6 of 414 Sociology programs nationally, Sonoma State University sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $62,652 show a 65% jump from the $37,896 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Sonoma State University

A 95% acceptance rate means Sonoma State University is accessible to most applicants, serving 5,374 students in Rohnert Park, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Sonoma State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Sociologists $101,690/yr

Sociology teachers, postsecondary $82,540/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Sociology at Other Schools

Compare Sociology

Other Majors at Sonoma State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Sonoma State University?

A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Sociology field.

Will AI replace Sociology careers?

With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $537,077 in decade earnings vs $597,290 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Sonoma State University's Sociology program stand out?

Ranked #6 of 414 programs nationally, Sonoma State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →