Sociology Degree in Glendale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Glendale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$97K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.5 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
162.4
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Glendale, CA Overview
Glendale, California (pop. 196,543) has 8 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 162.4 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,670/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 Glendale is approximately $71,456.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,677/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,738/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
54%
Sociology Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 162.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.62x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Glendale avg aid: $11,738/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$124,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,616
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
8.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$281,292
Lifetime earnings premium ($406,000) minus total education cost ($124,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Sociology
Glendale State University
public
$14,651/yr
$58,604 total
University of Glendale
public
$14,900/yr
$59,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$6,504/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$62K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$62K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$57K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$50K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$52K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$49K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$51K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$58K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Glendale
International Relations
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$78K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$81K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$81K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$81K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$71K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$81K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.