Sociology Degree in Gresham, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Gresham, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.6 yrs
in Gresham
Cost of Living
110.2
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Gresham, OR Overview
While Gresham has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sociology students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $13,788/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 Gresham is approximately $48,488.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,400/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,788/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,238/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
75%
Sociology Salary in Gresham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Gresham's cost of living index of 110.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Gresham adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Gresham
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Gresham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,400 | Private avg: $38,000
Gresham avg aid: $11,238/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,752
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,918
vs HS diploma in Gresham
ROI Payback Period
10.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Gresham
$170,748
Lifetime earnings premium ($275,500) minus total education cost ($104,752)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Gresham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Gresham for Sociology
Gresham State University
public
$11,604/yr
$46,416 total
University of Gresham
public
$12,019/yr
$48,076 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gresham Community College
$5,463/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Gresham
Gresham offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Gresham Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$49K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$57K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$53K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$51K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$47K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$47K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$49K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$53K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Gresham
International Relations
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$55K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$55K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$55K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Gresham — 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 Gresham.