Sociology at University of South Carolina Aiken
Aiken, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
30
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,882
11.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,850
39% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Sociology at Other Schools
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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 →