Program Analysis
Graduates earn $30,401/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 16.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $16,500 debt-to-$30,401 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
A #25 ranking out of 414 Sociology programs nationally puts California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.
Earnings growth from $30,401 to $75,585 over five years (149% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.