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Sociology at The University of Montana

Missoula, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,160/yr (14% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (3.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #84 of 414 Sociology programs Top 25%

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	$480K	$481K	$454K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.7x	14.8x	13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.8x	3.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,608

Out-of-state: $126,488 (3.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$68,472

-110% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,951

5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,532

16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $39,160 at The University of Montana come in 14% above the national median of $34,392 for Sociology programs.

The 14.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $39,160 far exceeding the $17,951 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #84 out of 414 programs, The University of Montana's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $39,160 to $45,532 over five years (16% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About The University of Montana

The University of Montana accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,079 in Missoula, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Montana →

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 The University of Montana

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 The University of Montana's Sociology program score?

This program scores 46/100 — 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 The University of Montana rank so high for Sociology?

The #84 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 →