Sociology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,335/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 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 $556K $550K $508K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.8x 10.7x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,584
Out-of-state: $135,004 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,328
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,746
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,681
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $37,335 per year, Sociology graduates from Colorado State University-Fort Collins earn slightly above the $34,392 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,746 represents roughly 6 months of the $37,335 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #79 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,681 show a 52% jump from the $37,335 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Colorado State University-Fort Collins

With 90% of applicants admitted, Colorado State University-Fort Collins prioritizes broad access, with 25,148 students enrolled in Fort Collins, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado State University-Fort Collins →

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 Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
A score of 46/100 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 $507,571 in decade earnings vs $555,656 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colorado State University-Fort Collins's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #79 of 414 programs nationally, Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →