Sociology Degree in Kent, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Kent, WA. 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
10.1 yrs
in Kent
Cost of Living
115.8
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Kent, WA Overview
Kent, Washington (pop. 136,588) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 115.8 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,440/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 Kent is approximately $50,952.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,433/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,467/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Sociology Salary in Kent (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kent's cost of living index of 115.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Kent adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Kent
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Kent tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Kent avg aid: $12,467/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,932
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,422
vs HS diploma in Kent
ROI Payback Period
10.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kent
$184,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($289,500) minus total education cost ($104,932)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Kent
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kent for Sociology
Kent State University
public
$12,886/yr
$51,544 total
University of Kent
public
$10,829/yr
$43,316 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Kent Community College
$5,759/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Kent
Kent offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kent Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$53K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$53K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$50K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$48K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$79K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$52K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Renton, WA
$54K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$54K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Kent
International Relations
$58K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$56K 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 Kent — 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 Kent.