Sociology Degree in Bellevue, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Bellevue, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$79K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.4 yrs
in Bellevue
Cost of Living
178.5
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Bellevue, WA Overview
Bellevue, Washington (pop. 151,854) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 178.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $3,300/month. 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 Bellevue is approximately $78,540.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$18,115/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,339/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
47%
Sociology Salary in Bellevue (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bellevue's cost of living index of 178.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Bellevue adjustment factor: 1.78x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Bellevue
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Bellevue tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Bellevue avg aid: $12,339/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$119,660
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,065
vs HS diploma in Bellevue
ROI Payback Period
7.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bellevue
$326,590
Lifetime earnings premium ($446,250) minus total education cost ($119,660)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Bellevue
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bellevue for Sociology
Bellevue State University
public
$11,349/yr
$45,396 total
University of Bellevue
public
$11,803/yr
$47,212 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bellevue Community College
$7,512/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Bellevue
Bellevue offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bellevue Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$53K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$53K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$50K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$48K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Kent, WA
$51K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$52K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$54K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$54K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Bellevue
International Relations
$89K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$86K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$89K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$89K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$89K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$89K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$79K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$89K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Bellevue — 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 Bellevue.