Sociology at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,293/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #223 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 $471K $473K $447K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.9x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,336
Out-of-state: $80,464 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,828
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,101
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,293 track close to the $34,392 national median for Sociology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 11.7x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $15,000 in median debt against $35,293 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #223 out of 414 programs, Tennessee Technological University's financial outcomes for Sociology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,293 to $43,101 shows 22% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 8,495 in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological 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 Tennessee Technological University

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

How does Tennessee Technological University's Sociology program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Sociology. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →