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Sociology at Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,257/yr (34% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 2.2x earnings multiple

Ranked #242 of 414 Sociology programs

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	$574K	$566K	$520K
Earnings Multiple	2.2x	2.2x	2.0x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$259,032

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$114,984

56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,000

6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,340

35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $46,257 put Wake Forest University's Sociology program 34% above the national median of $34,392 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.2x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $46,257 far exceeding the $23,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #242 of 414 Sociology programs, Wake Forest University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $46,257 to $62,340 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University accepts 22% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with a mid-sized student body of 5,471 in Winston-Salem, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $114,984 over four years — 56% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wake Forest University →

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 Wake Forest University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Wake Forest University?

A score of 37/100 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 $520,333 in decade earnings vs $573,664 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Wake Forest University a hidden gem for Sociology?

After financial aid, the average student pays $114,984 over four years — 56% below the $259,032 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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