Sociology at University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,150/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #63 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 $596K $587K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.9x 12.7x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.6x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 47 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$46,020
Out-of-state: $161,224 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,360
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,800
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,642
78% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Maryland-College Park's Sociology program produces graduates earning $34,150/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,800 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,150 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #63 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $60,642 show a 78% jump from the $34,150 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park's 45% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 30,246 students enrolled in College Park, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maryland-College Park →

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 Maryland-College Park

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 Maryland-College Park?
A score of 47/100 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 $536,015 in decade earnings vs $595,795 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Maryland-College Park's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #63 of 414 programs nationally, University of Maryland-College Park lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →