Sociology Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Jackson, MS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.3 yrs
in Jackson
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Jackson, MS Overview
Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/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 Jackson is approximately $40,920.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$8,684/yr
Private Tuition
$27,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,839/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,629/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
62%
Sociology Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Jackson
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Jackson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400
Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,092
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,370
vs HS diploma in Jackson
ROI Payback Period
10.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jackson
$146,408
Lifetime earnings premium ($232,500) minus total education cost ($86,092)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Jackson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jackson for Sociology
Jackson State University
public
$8,684/yr
$34,736 total
Belhaven University
private
$27,400/yr
$109,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hinds Community College
$3,300/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Jackson
Jackson offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jackson Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Mississippi Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Jackson
International Relations
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Jackson — 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 Jackson.