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Social Sciences at Southern Oregon University

Ashland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Social Sciences, General
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,835/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)
ROI 10.0x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #33 of 76 Social Sciences, General programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $485K $486K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.0x 10.0x 9.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 4.0x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 54% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 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)
$48,372
Out-of-state: $122,892 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,880
-36% less than sticker · See by income

Program Analysis

Southern Oregon University's Social Sciences graduates start at $41,835/yr — above the $38,652 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 10.0x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 5% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Sciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #33 ranking among 76 Social Sciences programs places Southern Oregon University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Southern Oregon University

A 83% acceptance rate means Southern Oregon University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,911 students in Ashland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Oregon University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Statisticians $103,300/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 76 schools offering Social Sciences →

Social Sciences at Other Schools

Mercer University ($61,612) Vanderbilt University ($61,389) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($57,538) Harvard University ($56,540) Upper Iowa University ($56,221) Campbell University ($50,653) University of Maryland Global Campus ($50,557) New York University ($49,016)

Other Majors at Southern Oregon University

Management Information Systems and Services ($59,328) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($51,167) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,074) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($41,136) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($40,553) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($35,222) Biology, General ($33,930) Psychology, General ($31,627)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Social Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Sciences at Southern Oregon University?
At 52/100, Southern Oregon University's Social Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences at Southern Oregon University?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →