Home › Boston College › Sociology

Sociology at Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $48,091/yr (40% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 2.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #64 of 414 Sociology programs Top 25%

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	$719K	$699K	$623K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.6x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	47	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$270,720

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$159,464

41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,500

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$83,459

74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Boston College's Sociology program earn $48,091/yr in their first year — 40% above the $34,392 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 2.6x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $18,500 in median debt against $48,091 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #64 out of 414 programs, Boston College's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $48,091 to $83,459 over five years (74% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Boston College

Boston College admits 16% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a mid-sized student body of 9,865 in Chestnut Hill, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $159,464 — 41% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Boston 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 Boston 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

How does Boston College's Sociology program score?

This program scores 47/100 — 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.

Why does Boston College rank so high for Sociology?

The #64 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →