Sociology at University of Vermont

Burlington, VT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,798/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 6.9x earnings multiple (3.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #293 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 $525K $522K $485K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.9x 6.9x 6.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.0x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 34 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$75,560
Out-of-state: $175,560 (3.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,440
-10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,625
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,113
58% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,798/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 6.9x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,625 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,798 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #293 of 414 Sociology programs, University of Vermont falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $50,113 show a 58% jump from the $31,798 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Vermont

A 60% admission rate makes University of Vermont accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 11,614 in Burlington, VT.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Vermont →

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 Vermont

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at University of Vermont?
A score of 34/100 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 $485,493 in decade earnings vs $524,504 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →