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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #394 of 414

Sociologyat Vermont State University

Graduates earn $20,464/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $486K; scenarios range from $458K to $486K depending on AI disruption.

Randolph, VT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
25 AT RISK
26
Optimistic
24
Pessimistic
Earnings
$20,464
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.7x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$486K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Vermont State University

The earnings outcomes for Vermont State's Sociology program stand apart from national trends, reflecting a unique blend of regional economics and program focus. You'll find that many graduates secure roles within Vermont's vibrant non-profit sector, local government, or community-based organizations. While incredibly impactful, these positions often operate with leaner budgets compared to corporate-track roles found in major urban centers. The program likely cultivates a strong sense of civic engagement, preparing you for careers where social good often outweighs top-tier financial compensation in the short term. If maximizing your immediate post-graduation income is a primary concern, you'll need to proactively seek out internships that build highly marketable skills, or consider combining your sociology major with a complementary minor that has a more direct career pipeline, potentially even exploring graduate school early on to access the higher-paying specialist roles this field offers.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$458K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score24/100
Earnings Multiple10.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$486K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score25/100
Earnings Multiple10.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$486K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score26/100
Earnings Multiple10.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Vermont State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Sociology graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
3
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
4
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
5
Social science research assistants
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 5,200 openings/yr
$58,040/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Sociology

How Vermont State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Top score
Columbia University in the City of New York
NY · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Santa Clara University
CA · Private nonprofit
49
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.3x
ROI
Colgate University
NY · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
41
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Also at Vermont State University

Other top programs at Vermont State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Vermont State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Sociology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Sociology at Vermont State University

How does Vermont State University's Sociology program score?

This program scores 25/100 — 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 are Sociology earnings lower at Vermont State University?

Lower starting pay at Vermont State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.