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Sociology at University of Massachusetts-Boston

Boston, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,569/yr (18% vs median)

AI Risk High (42% exposed)

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

ROI 8.7x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #83 of 414 Sociology programs Top 25%

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	$543K	$539K	$499K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.8x	8.7x	8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.6x	3.4x
Probability of Field Employment	48%	44%	34%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	46	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$61,984

Out-of-state: $148,696 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,128

-18% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,250

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,944

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,569 at University of Massachusetts-Boston come in 18% above the national median of $34,392 for Sociology programs.

At 8.7x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,250 debt-to-$40,569 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #83 out of 414 programs, University of Massachusetts-Boston's Sociology program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,569 to $55,944 shows 38% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Massachusetts-Boston

University of Massachusetts-Boston accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 11,848 students in Boston, MA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Boston →

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 Massachusetts-Boston

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 Massachusetts-Boston's Sociology program score?

This program scores 46/100 — 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 does University of Massachusetts-Boston rank so high for Sociology?

The #83 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 →