Sociology at University of Memphis

Memphis, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,822/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.8x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #278 of 414 Sociology programs

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 $444K $448K $428K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.7x 10.8x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.5x 7.6x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$41,376
Out-of-state: $59,136 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,012
-28% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,665
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,489
11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,822 track close to the $34,392 national median for Sociology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.8x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,665 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,822 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #278 of 414 Sociology programs, University of Memphis falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $38,489 are relatively flat compared to the $34,822 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Memphis

University of Memphis has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 13,645 students in Memphis, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Memphis →

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 Memphis

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 Memphis?
A score of 35/100 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 $428,432 in decade earnings vs $443,987 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →