Sociology at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,063/yr (-1% vs median)
AI Risk High (42% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.5x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #207 of 414 Sociology programs Top 50%

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 $483K $484K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.5x 11.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 48% 44% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 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)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,783
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,063/yr, Sociology graduates from West Virginia University land near the $34,392 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Sociology programs nationally.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $34,063 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #207 of 414 Sociology programs, West Virginia University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $34,063 to $44,783 over five years — a 31% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About West Virginia University

With 86% of applicants admitted, West Virginia University prioritizes broad access, serving 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

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 West Virginia University

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 West Virginia University?
A score of 39/100 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 $456,095 in decade earnings vs $483,020 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →