Sociology at Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,263/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #141 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

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 $513K $511K $478K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.2x 11.2x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.5x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,800
Out-of-state: $92,840 (5.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,752
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,360
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,392
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,263/yr, edging above the $34,392 national average for Sociology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,360 represents roughly 7 months of the $37,263 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #141 of 414 Sociology programs, Texas State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $37,263 to $50,392 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Texas State University

Texas State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 34,547 students in San Marcos, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas 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

Other Majors at Texas 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 Texas State University?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $477,524 in decade earnings vs $513,260 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →