Sociology at University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
49
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,889/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
13.0x earnings multiple (3.6x 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 | $590K | $581K | $532K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 13.2x | 13.0x | 11.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.6x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 49 | 49 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,212
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,766
69% growth from Year 1
About University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison's 43% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 35,665 students enrolled in Madison, WI.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →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
Other Majors at University of Wisconsin-Madison
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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 49/100 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 $531,969 in decade earnings vs $590,082 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #45 of 414 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison lands in the top 25%. 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 →