Sociology at CUNY City College

New York, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,825/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (9.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #101 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 $592K $583K $534K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.2x 19.9x 18.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.7x 9.5x 8.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 45 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,360
Out-of-state: $61,160 (9.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$13,944
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,199
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,182
98% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,825 per year, Sociology graduates from CUNY City College earn below the $34,392 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.9x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $10,199 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #101 of 414 nationally, this is a top-5% Sociology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $57,182 show a 98% jump from the $28,825 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About CUNY City College

CUNY City College accepts 58% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 11,934 in New York, NY. With 60% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at CUNY City 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 CUNY City College

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 CUNY City College?
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 $533,542 in decade earnings vs $592,301 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes CUNY City College's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #101 of 414 programs nationally, CUNY City College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can you still earn well with Sociology from CUNY City College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is CUNY City College a hidden gem for Sociology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $13,944 over four years — 53% below the $29,360 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →