Sociologyat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $34,121/yr in their first year — about 1.0% below the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $616K; scenarios range from $559K to $629K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
Studying Sociology at UCLA means you're leveraging an elite university's reputation, even within a broad humanities field. Your strong foundation in critical thinking, research, and understanding complex social dynamics is highly valued, but initial career paths for Sociology majors often diverge widely. The Los Angeles labor market is incredibly diverse, spanning tech, media, non-profits, and government. Many graduates find success by applying their analytical skills to roles in marketing, HR, or data analysis, rather than purely sociological positions. The program cultivates intellectual rigor, but direct high-paying pipelines are less common without additional specialization. To maximize your outcomes, proactively seek internships that combine your sociological insights with tangible skills like data visualization, project management, or policy advocacy, preparing you for the most competitive roles.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UCLA's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Sociology
How UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UCLA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Sociology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Sociology at UCLA
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at University of California-Los Angeles?
A score of 46/100 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 $559,204 in decade earnings vs $628,514 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of California-Los Angeles's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #77 of 414 programs nationally, University of California-Los Angeles lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.