Sociology at University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $45,786/yr (33% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 7.2x earnings multiple (2.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 414 Sociology programs Top 5%

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 $615K $604K $550K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.6x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$83,944
Out-of-state: $232,056 (2.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$91,524
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,239
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,316
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $45,786 per year, Sociology graduates from University of Virginia-Main Campus significantly outpace the $34,392 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.2x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,239 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #20 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $45,786 to $68,316 over five years — a 49% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Virginia-Main Campus

A 17% acceptance rate puts University of Virginia-Main Campus in competitive admissions territory, serving 17,315 students in Charlottesville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Virginia-Main Campus →

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

Compare Sociology

Other Majors at University of Virginia-Main Campus

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 Virginia-Main Campus?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Sociology field.
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 $549,522 in decade earnings vs $614,851 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Virginia-Main Campus's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #20 of 414 programs nationally, University of Virginia-Main Campus lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →