Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $28,676/yr fall 17% below the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.1x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $20,370 represents roughly 9 months of the $28,676 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #241 of 414 Sociology programs, SUNY Buffalo State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $47,196 show a 65% jump from the $28,676 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.