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Sociology at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,510/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.8x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #180 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 $452K $455K $434K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.7x 12.8x 12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,580
Out-of-state: $127,068 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,724
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,200
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Sociology program produces graduates earning $35,510/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

The 12.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,200 debt-to-$35,510 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #180 out of 414 programs, North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Sociology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Admission to North Carolina State University at Raleigh is competitive, with 40% of applicants accepted, serving a student body of 26,389 in Raleigh, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh →

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

Compare this program → View all 414 schools offering Sociology →

Sociology at Other Schools

Dartmouth College ($64,377) Columbia University in the City of New York ($58,541) Santa Clara University ($53,612) Colgate University ($51,788) Trinity College ($50,077) King's College ($48,529) Barnard College ($48,215) Boston College ($48,091)

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Computer Science ($85,809) Computer Engineering ($82,997) Chemical Engineering ($81,492) Industrial Engineering ($81,055) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,687) Construction Engineering ($76,574) Nuclear Engineering ($74,540) Materials Engineering ($74,058)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Sociology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Sociology program score?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Sociology to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Sociology careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →