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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #28 of 414

Sociologyat Western Colorado University

Graduates earn $43,178/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $517K; scenarios range from $482K to $520K depending on AI disruption.

Gunnison, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
50 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,178
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$517K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Western Colorado University

At $43,178 per year, Sociology graduates from Western Colorado University significantly outpace the $34,392 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 11.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Sociology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At #28 of 414 programs, this Sociology program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 23% earnings increase from $43,178 to $52,935 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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
$482K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$517K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple11.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$520K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple11.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Colorado 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 Western Colorado 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 Western Colorado University

Other top programs at Western Colorado University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Colorado 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 Western Colorado University

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at Western Colorado University?

At 50/100, Western Colorado University's Sociology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Sociology at Western Colorado University?

The 42% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.