Sociology at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,897/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.2x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #164 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 $496K $495K $465K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.2x 17.2x 16.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,856
Out-of-state: $87,504 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,980
-104% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,040
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,897/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.2x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,500 represents roughly 8 months of the $31,897 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #164 of 414 Sociology programs, University of North Carolina at Charlotte scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $31,897 to $46,040 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of North Carolina at Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 23,567 in Charlotte, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte →

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 North Carolina at Charlotte

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 North Carolina at Charlotte?
A score of 41/100 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 $465,076 in decade earnings vs $495,695 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →