Sociology at William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,528/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #177 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 $531K $528K $490K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.8x 8.7x 8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.4x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,600
Out-of-state: $97,856 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$71,056
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,509
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,528/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 8.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,000 debt-to-$35,528 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #177 out of 414 programs, William Paterson University of New Jersey's Sociology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,528 to $52,509 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About William Paterson University of New Jersey

William Paterson University of New Jersey accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 6,526 students in Wayne, NJ. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey →

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 William Paterson University of New Jersey

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

How does William Paterson University of New Jersey's Sociology program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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 →