Sociology at West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,063/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
12.5x earnings multiple (4.4x 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 | $483K | $484K | $456K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.5x | 12.5x | 11.8x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.4x | 4.4x | 4.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 40 | 39 | 37 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (4.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,783
31% growth from Year 1
About West Virginia University
With 86% of applicants admitted, West Virginia University prioritizes broad access, serving 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.
See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia University?
A score of 39/100 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 $456,095 in decade earnings vs $483,020 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →