Sociology Degree in Houston, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Houston, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.2 yrs
in Houston
Cost of Living
115
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Houston, TX Overview
Houston is one of Texas's top college towns, with 90 institutions and a student population of 71,513. Public tuition averages $10,200/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 Houston is approximately $50,600.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
90
Public Tuition
$10,200/yr
Private Tuition
$56,280/yr
Room & Board
$13,520/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,081/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
72%
Sociology Salary in Houston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Houston's cost of living index of 115 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Houston adjustment factor: 1.15x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Houston
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Houston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $56,280
Houston avg aid: $13,081/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$94,880
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,350
vs HS diploma in Houston
ROI Payback Period
9.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Houston
$192,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($287,500) minus total education cost ($94,880)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Houston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Houston for Sociology
University of Houston
public
$11,164/yr
$44,656 total
Rice University
private
$56,280/yr
$225,120 total
Texas Southern University
public
$9,236/yr
$36,944 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Houston Community College
$2,688/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Houston
Houston offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Houston Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Texas Cities
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
Plano, TX
$37K starting · COL 85
9 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Houston
International Relations
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$51K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Houston — 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 Houston.