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Sociology at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $33,039/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #165 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

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	$513K	$511K	$477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.8x	13.8x	12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.6x	4.6x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	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)

$37,144

Out-of-state: $111,412 (4.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,720

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,207

7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,943

48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Washington University's Sociology program produces graduates earning $33,039/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

The 13.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,207 debt-to-$33,039 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #165 out of 414 programs, Western Washington University's Sociology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,039 to $48,943 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Western Washington University

A 91% acceptance rate means Western Washington University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 13,574 in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington 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 Western Washington University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Washington University's Sociology program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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 →