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Sociology at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,593/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #178 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	$584K	$575K	$527K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.5x	13.3x	12.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.8x	4.7x	4.3x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	40	39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,128

Out-of-state: $122,288 (4.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,880

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,374

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,006

96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,593 per year, Sociology graduates from University at Buffalo earn below the $34,392 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 13.3x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $15,374 debt-to-$28,593 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #178 out of 414 programs, University at Buffalo's Sociology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $28,593 to $56,006 over five years (96% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo accepts 69% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 20,284 in Buffalo, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →

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 University at Buffalo

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University at Buffalo's Sociology program score?

This program scores 40/100 — 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.

Why are Sociology earnings lower at University at Buffalo?

Lower starting pay at University at Buffalo may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →