Sociology at University of Maine

Orono, ME · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,283/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 8.5x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #318 of 414 Sociology programs

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 $423K $429K $414K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.4x 8.5x 8.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,424
Out-of-state: $141,384 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,180
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,350
10.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,283/yr, roughly in line with the $34,392 national median for Sociology. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.5x 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 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,350 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,283 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #318 of 414 Sociology programs, University of Maine falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Maine

University of Maine accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 8,341 students in Orono, ME.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Maine →

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 Maine

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at University of Maine?
A score of 32/100 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 $413,668 in decade earnings vs $423,156 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →