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Sociology at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Portales, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,167/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)

ROI 15.4x earnings multiple (12.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #275 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	$417K	$424K	$409K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.2x	15.4x	14.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	11.8x	12.0x	11.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	35	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,452

Out-of-state: $35,372 (12.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$24,796

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,575

8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus's Sociology graduates start at $29,167/yr, trailing the $34,392 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.4x 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 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,575 represents roughly 8 months of the $29,167 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #275 of 414 Sociology programs, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus's 55% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 3,186 students in Portales, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus →

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 Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus?

A score of 35/100 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 $409,333 in decade earnings vs $417,040 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Sociology from Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →