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Sociology at University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,703/yr (24% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #13 of 414 Sociology programs Top 5%

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	$568K	$561K	$516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.1x	12.0x	11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.8x	4.8x	4.4x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	54	53	50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,800

Out-of-state: $117,648 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$69,460

-48% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,251

6.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$60,399

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,703/yr, edging above the $34,392 national average for Sociology — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 12.0x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,251 debt-to-$42,703 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #13 out of 414 programs, University of Kansas's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,703 to $60,399 shows 41% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Kansas

University of Kansas has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 19,857 students in Lawrence, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Kansas →

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

Compare Sociology

Other Majors at University of Kansas

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

How does University of Kansas's Sociology program score?

This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Sociology graduates.

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 does University of Kansas rank so high for Sociology?

The #13 ranking out of 414 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

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