Sociology at University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
30
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
11.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,987
39% growth from Year 1
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
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 →