Sociology

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$37,138

Median Earnings

$52,125

Schools Offering

483

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $47,738Median: $52,12575th: $57,508

Best Schools for Sociology by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private	96	$101,536	$21,590	$31,000	C+
2	William & Mary VA · Public	91	$87,655	$19,096	$14,000	A
3	Vanderbilt University TN · Private	97	$83,649	$15,846	N/A	-
4	Dartmouth College NH · Private	95	$81,722	$29,519	$19,250	B+
5	George Washington University DC · Private	88	$78,857	$36,586	N/A	-
6	Barnard College NY · Private	90	$77,821	$28,800	$15,899	B+
7	New York University NY · Private	84	$77,650	$37,050	$18,875	D
8	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$75,267	$29,167	$14,567	B
9	Cornell University NY · Private	96	$73,200	$28,690	$11,900	B+
10	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$72,217	$28,699	$11,600	A
11	Fordham University NY · Private	79	$71,581	$44,338	$25,000	D
12	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$71,363	$13,481	$13,131	B+
13	University of Southern California CA · Private	91	$70,555	$32,740	$10,324	B+
14	Boston College MA · Private	92	$70,121	$41,704	$19,000	B
15	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$69,883	$16,665	$16,750	C
16	University of Notre Dame IN · Private	97	$69,704	$26,780	$19,800	C
17	Northeastern University MA · Private	91	$69,585	$30,915	$27,000	C
18	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$68,538	$21,565	$20,500	B
19	The College of New Jersey NJ · Public	83	$68,260	$27,646	$24,208	C+
20	Loyola Marymount University CA · Private	72	$68,053	$48,381	$19,500	C+
21	California Lutheran University CA · Private	71	$67,998	$30,109	N/A	-
22	Assumption University MA · Private	77	$67,635	$29,498	$27,000	D
23	Hobart William Smith Colleges NY · Private	70	$67,556	$31,563	$26,500	F
24	Quinnipiac University CT · Private	79	$67,262	$40,675	N/A	-
25	Wagner College NY · Private	76	$67,061	$28,241	N/A	-
26	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$67,044	$38,793	$24,750	C
27	University of Maryland-College Park MD · Public	94	$65,974	$15,678	$20,460	C
28	Hartwick College NY · Private	48	$65,765	$31,320	$27,000	B
29	CUNY Brooklyn College NY · Public	81	$65,606	$3,103	N/A	-
30	Brandeis University MA · Private	77	$65,481	$35,736	$27,000	C
31	SUNY College at Geneseo NY · Public	82	$65,234	$18,211	$21,226	C
32	Clark University MA · Private	59	$64,988	$28,714	$23,569	B
33	La Salle University PA · Private	73	$64,953	$19,409	$27,500	D
34	National University CA · Private	64	$64,860	$22,878	$28,125	C
35	Binghamton University NY · Public	89	$64,797	$21,620	$25,500	D
36	Providence College RI · Private	76	$64,750	$48,523	$27,000	D
37	University of California-Los Angeles CA · Public	96	$64,692	$12,548	$14,500	B
38	College of the Holy Cross MA · Private	85	$64,642	$38,782	$26,449	D
39	George Mason University VA · Public	86	$64,603	$17,915	$20,514	C+
40	Siena College NY · Private	75	$64,070	$33,733	N/A	-
41	Boston University MA · Private	90	$63,791	$24,402	$26,750	C
42	Connecticut College CT · Private	76	$63,777	$36,175	$20,670	D
43	University of Miami FL · Private	78	$63,764	$37,244	$18,250	B+
44	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University VA · Public	89	$63,654	$24,953	$22,859	C
45	Central Washington University WA · Public	68	$63,608	$18,476	$25,000	C
46	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$63,419	$13,138	$18,568	C+
47	Shepherd University WV · Public	50	$63,412	$11,363	$20,030	C
48	Franklin and Marshall College PA · Private	81	$63,251	$36,425	$19,000	C
49	University of Massachusetts Global CA · Public	52	$63,036	$32,654	$30,273	C+
50	Gonzaga University WA · Private	81	$62,626	$35,119	$25,991	D

Below Average Value

Is Sociology Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Sociology are below average. At $37,138 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

483 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is William & Mary, where graduates earn $87,655 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Sociology All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Sociology

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Sociology by Earnings

Is Sociology Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

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