Sociology Degree in Cambridge, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Cambridge, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.2 yrs
in Cambridge
Cost of Living
133
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Cambridge, MA Overview
Cambridge, Massachusetts (pop. 118,403) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 133 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,322/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 Cambridge is approximately $58,520.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$13,207/yr
Private Tuition
$57,624/yr
Room & Board
$17,447/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,677/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
75%
Sociology Salary in Cambridge (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Cambridge's cost of living index of 133 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Cambridge adjustment factor: 1.33x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Cambridge
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Cambridge tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,207 | Private avg: $57,624
Cambridge avg aid: $14,677/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,616
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,970
vs HS diploma in Cambridge
ROI Payback Period
10.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Cambridge
$209,884
Lifetime earnings premium ($332,500) minus total education cost ($122,616)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Cambridge
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Cambridge for Sociology
Harvard University
private
$57,261/yr
$229,044 total
MIT
private
$57,986/yr
$231,944 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Cambridge
Cambridge offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Cambridge Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$60K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$51K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$59K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$50K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$48K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$57K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$45K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Cambridge
International Relations
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$67K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$67K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$59K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$67K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Cambridge — 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 Cambridge.