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Sociology at University of California-Merced

Merced, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,092/yr (8% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (2.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #192 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	$507K	$506K	$473K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.9x	8.9x	8.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.8x	2.8x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	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)

$56,668

Out-of-state: $179,776 (2.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$50,976

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,500

5.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,395

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,092/yr, edging above the $34,392 national average for Sociology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 8.9x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 42% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $17,500 in median debt against $37,092 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #192 out of 414 programs, University of California-Merced's Sociology offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,092 to $49,395 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of California-Merced

University of California-Merced admits 39% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with a mid-sized student body of 8,372 in Merced, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 59% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Merced →

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 of California-Merced

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 of California-Merced'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.

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