Sociology at Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$35,399/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
9.2x earnings multiple (7.4x 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 | $572K | $565K | $519K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.3x | 9.2x | 8.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.5x | 7.4x | 6.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 44 | 43 | 41 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,192
Out-of-state: $76,392 (7.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,449
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,151
64% growth from Year 1
About Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,704 students in Kalamazoo, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan 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 Western Michigan 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
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Western Michigan University?
A score of 43/100 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 $519,226 in decade earnings vs $572,101 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →