Sociology Degree in Charleston, SC — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Charleston, SC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.1 yrs
in Charleston
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Charleston, SC Overview
Charleston, South Carolina (pop. 150,277) has 9 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,168/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 Charleston is approximately $45,320.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$13,659/yr
Private Tuition
$29,969/yr
Room & Board
$12,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,774/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Sociology Salary in Charleston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Charleston's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Charleston adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Charleston
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Charleston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,659 | Private avg: $29,969
Charleston avg aid: $7,774/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,270
vs HS diploma in Charleston
ROI Payback Period
11.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Charleston
$154,416
Lifetime earnings premium ($257,500) minus total education cost ($103,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Charleston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Charleston for Sociology
College of Charleston
public
$12,622/yr
$50,488 total
The Citadel
public
$14,696/yr
$58,784 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trident Technical College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Charleston
Charleston offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Charleston Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Charleston
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Charleston — 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 Charleston.