Sociology at Smith College

Northampton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,252/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #381 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 $506K $505K $472K
Earnings Multiple 2.1x 2.0x 1.9x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$246,272
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$104,724
57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,634
38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Smith College's Sociology program produces graduates earning $35,252/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 $19,000 represents roughly 6 months of the $35,252 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #381 of 414 Sociology programs, Smith College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $35,252 to $48,634 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Smith College

Admission to Smith College is competitive, with 20% of applicants accepted, a smaller institution with 2,501 students in Northampton, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $104,724 — 57% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Smith College →

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 Smith College

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 Smith College?
A score of 27/100 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 $472,190 in decade earnings vs $505,733 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Smith College a hidden gem for Sociology?
After financial aid, the average student pays $104,724 over four years — 57% below the $246,272 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →