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Sociology at University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,372/yr (-0% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 9.6x earnings multiple (3.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #126 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	$584K	$575K	$527K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.7x	9.6x	8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.2x	3.1x	2.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	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)

$59,860

Out-of-state: $182,968 (3.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,300

8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,500

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$59,183

72% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,372/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $34,372 far exceeding the $13,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #126 of 414 Sociology programs, University of California-Santa Barbara scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $59,183 show a 72% jump from the $34,372 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Santa Barbara

University of California-Santa Barbara accepts 28% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, one of the larger campuses at 23,205 students in Santa Barbara, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Santa Barbara →

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 California-Santa Barbara

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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 California-Santa Barbara?

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 $527,344 in decade earnings vs $583,556 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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