Sociology at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,386/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.4x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #216 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 $532K $529K $491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.4x 9.4x 8.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,520
Out-of-state: $137,352 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,556
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,854
55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,386/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 9.4x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $33,386 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #216 of 414 Sociology programs, University of Missouri-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $51,854 show a 55% jump from the $33,386 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 23,118 in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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 Missouri-Columbia

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 Missouri-Columbia?
A score of 38/100 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 $491,073 in decade earnings vs $532,377 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →