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Social Sciences · Sociology Rank #65 of 414

Sociologyat Winona State University

Graduates earn $43,505/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Sociology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $485K; scenarios range from $457K to $484K depending on AI disruption.

Winona, MN Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
47 AVERAGE
48
Optimistic
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,505
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$485K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Winona State University

At $43,505 per year, Sociology graduates from Winona State University significantly outpace the $34,392 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 11.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Sociology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $21,687 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Winona State University ranks #65 among 414 Sociology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $43,505 to $46,926 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
$457K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$485K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$484K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Winona State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Winona State 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 Winona State University

What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at Winona State University?

At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Sociology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Sociology at Winona State 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.

Is Winona State University one of the best schools for Sociology?

Among 414 Sociology programs, Winona State University's #65 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.