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Sociology at State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $26,901/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 16.2x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #204 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	$558K	$552K	$509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.4x	16.2x	14.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.6x	7.5x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	39	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)

$34,096

Out-of-state: $73,736 (7.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,924

-117% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,941

9.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,979

93% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,901 place State University of New York at New Paltz below the $34,392 national median for Sociology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.2x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,941 represents roughly 9 months of the $26,901 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #204 of 414 Sociology programs, State University of New York at New Paltz scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $51,979 show a 93% jump from the $26,901 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About State University of New York at New Paltz

A 59% admission rate makes State University of New York at New Paltz accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 6,022 in New Paltz, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at State University of New York at New Paltz →

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 State University of New York at New Paltz

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 State University of New York at New Paltz?

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 $509,358 in decade earnings vs $558,178 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Sociology from State University of New York at New Paltz?

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 →