Sociology at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
32
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,517/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #325 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 $481K $482K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.5x 9.5x 9.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.4x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 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)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,250
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,426
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Carolina-Columbia's Sociology program produces graduates earning $30,517/yr — within striking distance of the $34,392 national average for this field.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.5x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,250 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,517 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #325 of 414 Sociology programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $30,517 to $43,426 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of South Carolina-Columbia's 61% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-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 South Carolina-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 South Carolina-Columbia?
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 $454,783 in decade earnings vs $481,168 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →