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Sociology at Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,612/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #280 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	$551K	$546K	$505K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.9x	14.8x	13.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.2x	7.2x	6.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	35	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,912

Out-of-state: $76,080 (7.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$64,100

-74% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,016

12.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,768

102% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,612 per year, Sociology graduates from Sam Houston State University earn below the $34,392 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 14.8x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,016 debt load exceeds a year of the $24,612 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #280 out of 414 programs, Sam Houston State University's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,612 to $49,768 over five years (102% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Sam Houston State University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Sam Houston State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 18,138 in Huntsville, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at Sam Houston State 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 Sam Houston State 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

How does Sam Houston State University's Sociology program score?

This program scores 35/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Sam Houston State University Sociology graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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.

Why are Sociology earnings lower at Sam Houston State University?

Lower starting pay at Sam Houston State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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