Sociology at Wichita State University

Wichita, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,236/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #252 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 $437K $442K $424K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.9x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,288
Out-of-state: $76,960 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,104
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
8.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,333
6% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,236 track close to the $34,392 national median for Sociology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $35,236 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #252 of 414 Sociology programs, Wichita State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $37,333 are relatively flat compared to the $35,236 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Wichita State University

Wichita State University has a 95% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 10,493 in Wichita, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Wichita State 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 Wichita State 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 Wichita State University?
A score of 36/100 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 $423,560 in decade earnings vs $437,112 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →