Sociology at University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,476/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #329 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 $580K $572K $525K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.5x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$225,776
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$125,060
45% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,681
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of San Diego's Sociology graduates start at $36,476/yr — above the $34,392 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 $25,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $36,476 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #329 of 414 Sociology programs, University of San Diego falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $59,681 show a 64% jump from the $36,476 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of San Diego

University of San Diego's 47% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving 5,619 students in San Diego, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $125,060 over four years — 45% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of San Diego →

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 San Diego

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at University of San Diego?
A score of 31/100 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 $524,755 in decade earnings vs $579,904 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →