Sociology at Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,334/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #209 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 $456K $459K $437K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.6x 13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.4x 7.0x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,676
Out-of-state: $62,480 (7.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,852
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,554
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,654
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,334/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 13.6x 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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,554 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,334 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #209 of 414 Sociology programs, Purdue University Northwest falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $40,654 are relatively flat compared to the $35,334 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Purdue University Northwest

Purdue University Northwest accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 5,786 students in Hammond, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University Northwest →

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 Purdue University Northwest

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 Purdue University Northwest?
A score of 39/100 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 $436,929 in decade earnings vs $455,978 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →