Sociology Degree in Baltimore, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Baltimore, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.6 yrs
in Baltimore
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Baltimore, MD Overview
Baltimore is one of Maryland's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 30,415. Public tuition averages $12,096/year here — near the national average for public universities. Although national enrollment in Sociology has been declining, graduates with skills in Research Methods and Data Analysis remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Baltimore is approximately $57,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$12,096/yr
Private Tuition
$56,325/yr
Room & Board
$21,745/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,793/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Sociology Salary in Baltimore (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Baltimore's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Baltimore adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Baltimore
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Baltimore tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,096 | Private avg: $56,325
Baltimore avg aid: $8,793/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$135,364
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,700
vs HS diploma in Baltimore
ROI Payback Period
11.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Baltimore
$189,636
Lifetime earnings premium ($325,000) minus total education cost ($135,364)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Baltimore
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Baltimore for Sociology
Johns Hopkins University
private
$60,480/yr
$241,920 total
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
public
$12,096/yr
$48,384 total
Loyola University Maryland
private
$52,170/yr
$208,680 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Baltimore City Community College
$3,768/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Baltimore
Baltimore offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Baltimore Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Maryland Cities
Columbia, MD
$56K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$54K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$50K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$53K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$50K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$48K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$57K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$51K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Baltimore
International Relations
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$62K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$65K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$65K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$65K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$57K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$65K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Baltimore — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Sociology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Baltimore.