Sociology Degree in Lafayette, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Lafayette, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.3 yrs
in Lafayette
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Lafayette, LA Overview
While Lafayette has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sociology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,349/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 Lafayette is approximately $45,760.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,374/yr
Private Tuition
$38,796/yr
Room & Board
$11,349/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,367/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
66%
Sociology Salary in Lafayette (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lafayette's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Lafayette adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Lafayette
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Lafayette tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,374 | Private avg: $38,796
Lafayette avg aid: $7,367/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,360
vs HS diploma in Lafayette
ROI Payback Period
9.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lafayette
$173,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($260,000) minus total education cost ($86,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Lafayette
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lafayette for Sociology
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
public
$10,374/yr
$41,496 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Louisiana Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Lafayette
Lafayette offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lafayette Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$40K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$36K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$44K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$39K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$35K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$39K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$41K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lafayette
International Relations
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$52K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Lafayette — 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 Lafayette.