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Sociology at University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,516/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #81 of 414 Sociology programs Top 25%

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	$512K	$510K	$477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.0x	19.9x	18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.4x	7.4x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	46	44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$25,640

Out-of-state: $69,296 (7.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$40,172

-57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,062

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,972

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,516/yr, Sociology graduates from University of South Florida land near the $34,392 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 19.9x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,062 debt-to-$33,516 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #81 out of 414 programs, University of South Florida's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,516 to $48,972 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of South Florida

University of South Florida accepts 41% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 36,299 students enrolled in Tampa, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Florida →

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 Florida

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

How does University of South Florida's Sociology program score?

This program scores 46/100 — 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.

Why does University of South Florida rank so high for Sociology?

The #81 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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