Sociology at DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,644/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #333 of 414 Sociology programs

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 $578K $570K $523K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.2x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$177,840
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$116,564
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,166
8.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,090
73% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,644/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 $23,166 represents roughly 8 months of the $33,644 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #333 of 414 Sociology programs, DePaul University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $58,090 show a 73% jump from the $33,644 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About DePaul University

DePaul University accepts 74% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 14,283 students in Chicago, IL. The average net cost of $116,564 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at DePaul 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 DePaul University

Consider the Trade Route?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at DePaul University?
A score of 31/100 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 $523,323 in decade earnings vs $577,883 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →