Sociology at Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
23 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
24
Optimistic
23
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,290/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #404 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 $512K $510K $477K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.6x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 24 23 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$199,336
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$49,748
75% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,497
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,770
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,290/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The financial case is thin at 2.6x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,497 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,290 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #404 of 414 Sociology programs, Augustana College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $47,770 show a 58% jump from the $30,290 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Augustana College

A 68% admission rate makes Augustana College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 2,418 students in Rock Island, IL. The average net cost of $49,748 over four years represents a 75% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Augustana College →

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 Augustana College

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Augustana College?
A score of 23/100 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 $476,681 in decade earnings vs $512,070 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Augustana College a hidden gem for Sociology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $49,748 over four years — 75% below the $199,336 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →