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Sociology at University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,438/yr (-14% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (5.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #345 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	$466K	$469K	$444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.8x	10.9x	10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.5x	5.2x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	31	30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,040

Out-of-state: $84,872 (5.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,444

-8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,882

11.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$40,850

39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,438/yr, Sociology graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken land near the $34,392 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 10.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,882 debt-to-$29,438 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #345 out of 414 programs, University of South Carolina Aiken's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $29,438 to $40,850 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of South Carolina Aiken

With 80% of applicants admitted, University of South Carolina Aiken prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,805 students in Aiken, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina Aiken →

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 South Carolina Aiken

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of South Carolina Aiken's Sociology program score?

This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Sociology to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Sociology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

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