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Social Sciences, General at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,061/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)
ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #10 of 76 Social Sciences, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $571K $563K $522K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.8x 18.5x 17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 54% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,408
Out-of-state: $77,928 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,048
-38% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,097
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,162
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,061/yr, roughly in line with the $38,652 national median for Social Sciences, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 18.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Sciences, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $39,061 far exceeding the $16,097 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

California State University-Sacramento ranks #10 among 76 Social Sciences, General programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 46% earnings increase from $39,061 to $57,162 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Sacramento

California State University-Sacramento accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 27,867 students in Sacramento, CA. 49% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Sacramento →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Statisticians $103,300/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 76 schools offering Social Sciences, General →

Social Sciences, General at Other Schools

Mercer University ($61,612) Vanderbilt University ($61,389) University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($57,538) Harvard University ($56,540) Upper Iowa University ($56,221) Campbell University ($50,653) University of Maryland Global Campus ($50,557) New York University ($49,016)

Other Majors at California State University-Sacramento

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($116,001) Construction Engineering ($90,836) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($74,450) Civil Engineering ($71,342) Mechanical Engineering ($66,462) Computer Engineering ($66,266) Computer Science ($60,028) Interior Architecture ($50,108)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Social Sciences, General trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Sciences, General at California State University-Sacramento?
At 61/100, California State University-Sacramento's Social Sciences, General program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences, General at California State University-Sacramento?
The 45% 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 California State University-Sacramento one of the best schools for Social Sciences, General?
Among 76 Social Sciences, General programs, California State University-Sacramento's #10 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →