Sociology at Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,912/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
14.5x earnings multiple (5.1x 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 | $625K | $613K | $557K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.8x | 14.5x | 13.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.1x | 5.1x | 4.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 49 | 48 | 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)
$42,240
Out-of-state: $121,400 (5.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,250
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,549
93% growth from Year 1
About Stony Brook University
With a 49% acceptance rate, Stony Brook University is moderately selective, with a mid-sized student body of 17,420 in Stony Brook, NY.
See all programs and financial aid at Stony Brook 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 Stony Brook University
Explore the Trade Alternative
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
How does Stony Brook University's Sociology program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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 Stony Brook University rank so high for Sociology?
The #54 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 →