Sociology at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,723/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #186 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 $513K $511K $477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.5x 8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 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)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,839
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Sociology program produces graduates earning $35,723/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 $19,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $35,723 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #186 of 414 Sociology programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $35,723 to $49,839 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's 46% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, with 28,763 students enrolled in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
A score of 40/100 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 $477,145 in decade earnings vs $512,725 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →