Sociology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of human social relationships, institutions, and societal structures.
Starting Salary
$44K
median
Mid-Career
$60K
salary
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Sociology Overview
Study of human social relationships, institutions, and societal structures.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
60%
Enrollment Trend
declining
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
38%
Lifetime Premium
$250K
Female Graduates
65%
Sociology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$234,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Sociology Salary Progression
Common Sociology Careers
Social Researcher
Policy Analyst
Community Organizer
HR Specialist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Sociology
#1
Harvard
#2
UC Berkeley
#3
University of Wisconsin
#4
University of Michigan
#5
Columbia
Related Majors
Sociology Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Sociology Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for sociology programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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