Sociology at Columbus State University

Columbus, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,899/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #97 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 $474K $476K $450K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.6x 20.7x 19.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.1x 7.1x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 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)
$23,004
Out-of-state: $67,220 (7.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,556
-107% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$28,500
9.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,568
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,899/yr, Sociology graduates from Columbus State University land near the $34,392 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.7x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $28,500 represents roughly 10 months of the $34,899 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #97 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $34,899 to $43,568 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Columbus State University

With 99% of applicants admitted, Columbus State University prioritizes broad access, serving 5,537 students in Columbus, GA. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbus State University →

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 Columbus State University

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 Columbus State University?
A score of 45/100 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 $449,737 in decade earnings vs $474,048 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Columbus State University's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #97 of 414 programs nationally, Columbus State University 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 →