Sociology Degree in Garland, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Garland, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$39K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.1 yrs
in Garland
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Garland, TX Overview
Garland is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 18,986. Public tuition averages $11,277/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Garland is approximately $39,160.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$11,277/yr
Private Tuition
$7,560/yr
Room & Board
$10,998/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,785/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
55%
Sociology Salary in Garland (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Garland's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Garland adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Garland
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Garland tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,277 | Private avg: $7,560
Garland avg aid: $11,785/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,010
vs HS diploma in Garland
ROI Payback Period
11.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Garland
$133,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($222,500) minus total education cost ($89,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Garland
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Garland for Sociology
Amberton University
private
$7,560/yr
$30,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dallas College Richland Campus
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Garland
Garland offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Garland Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$51K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$53K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$46K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$47K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$44K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$41K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$41K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$36K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Garland
International Relations
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Garland — 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 Garland.