Home › University of Alabama at Birmingham › Sociology

Sociology at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,137/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (5.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #328 of 414 Sociology programs

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	$457K	$460K	$437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	13.0x	12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.3x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,328

Out-of-state: $87,456 (5.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$70,908

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,500

11.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$38,987

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,137 place University of Alabama at Birmingham below the $34,392 national median for Sociology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,500 represents roughly 11 months of the $28,137 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #328 of 414 Sociology programs, University of Alabama at Birmingham falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $28,137 to $38,987 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Alabama at Birmingham

University of Alabama at Birmingham accepts 88% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 12,118 in Birmingham, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham →

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham

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 University of Alabama at Birmingham?

A score of 31/100 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 $437,433 in decade earnings vs $456,689 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Sociology from University of Alabama at Birmingham?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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