Sociology Degree in Chattanooga, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Chattanooga, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$35K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$48K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
12.1 yrs
in Chattanooga
Cost of Living
80
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Chattanooga, TN Overview
While Chattanooga has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sociology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,210/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. 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 Chattanooga is approximately $35,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,648/yr
Private Tuition
$39,466/yr
Room & Board
$12,210/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,310/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
50%
Sociology Salary in Chattanooga (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chattanooga's cost of living index of 80 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Chattanooga adjustment factor: 0.80x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Chattanooga
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Chattanooga tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,648 | Private avg: $39,466
Chattanooga avg aid: $9,310/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,200
vs HS diploma in Chattanooga
ROI Payback Period
12.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chattanooga
$112,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($200,000) minus total education cost ($87,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Chattanooga
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chattanooga for Sociology
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
public
$9,648/yr
$38,592 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chattanooga State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Chattanooga
Chattanooga offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chattanooga Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$40K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$41K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$37K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$40K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$40K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$36K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$46K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Chattanooga
International Relations
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$38K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$40K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$40K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$35K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$40K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Chattanooga — 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 Chattanooga.