Sociology at East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,928/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.4x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #137 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

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 $515K $513K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.5x 17.4x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.5x 5.4x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,444
Out-of-state: $94,552 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,056
-124% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,251
8.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,880
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,928/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.4x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,251 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,928 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #137 of 414 Sociology programs, East Carolina University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $48,880 show a 53% jump from the $31,928 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About East Carolina University

East Carolina University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 19,857 students in Greenville, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at East Carolina 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 East Carolina 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 East Carolina University?
A score of 43/100 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 $478,981 in decade earnings vs $515,314 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →