Home › University of Colorado Boulder › Sociology

Sociology at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,958/yr (10% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 8.6x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #96 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	$575K	$568K	$521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.8x	8.6x	7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.4x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$65,720

Out-of-state: $167,772 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,920

-31% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,000

5.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$59,670

57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Colorado Boulder's Sociology graduates start at $37,958/yr — above the $34,392 national average, though not by a wide margin.

A 8.6x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Sociology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $16,000 in median debt clears quickly against $37,958 in annual earnings.

University of Colorado Boulder ranks #96 among 414 Sociology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $37,958-to-$59,670 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Colorado Boulder

A 83% acceptance rate means University of Colorado Boulder is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 31,578 in Boulder, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Boulder →

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 Colorado Boulder

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 does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at University of Colorado Boulder?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Sociology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Sociology at University of Colorado Boulder?

The 42% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Colorado Boulder one of the best schools for Sociology?

Among 414 Sociology programs, University of Colorado Boulder's #96 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

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