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Sociology at University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,723/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 14.7x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #139 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	$577K	$570K	$523K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.9x	14.7x	13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.4x	5.9x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	43	42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,844

Out-of-state: $88,764 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$55,412

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,000

5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,477

84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,723 track close to the $34,392 national median for Sociology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 14.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Sociology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $14,000 in median debt against $30,723 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #139 ranking among 414 Sociology programs places University of Houston in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $30,723-to-$56,477 earnings arc over five years reflects a 84% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Houston

With a 70% acceptance rate, University of Houston is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 37,175 students in Houston, TX. With 41% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston →

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 Houston

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Sociology at University of Houston?

At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Sociology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Sociology at University of Houston?

The 42% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

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