Sociology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,768/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
8.5x 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 | $528K | $525K | $488K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.5x | 8.5x | 7.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.6x | 3.6x | 3.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 44 | 43 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,562
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,098
37% growth from Year 1
About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 30,435 students in Blacksburg, VA.
See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University →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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
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
How does Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Sociology program score?
This program scores 43/100 — 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 →