Sociology Degree in Lakewood, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Lakewood, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.4 yrs
in Lakewood
Cost of Living
105.8
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Lakewood, CO Overview
Lakewood, Colorado (pop. 155,984) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 105.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,395/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 Lakewood is approximately $46,552.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,028/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,371/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Sociology Salary in Lakewood (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lakewood's cost of living index of 105.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Lakewood adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Lakewood
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Lakewood tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Lakewood avg aid: $8,371/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,912
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,522
vs HS diploma in Lakewood
ROI Payback Period
11.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lakewood
$155,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($264,500) minus total education cost ($108,912)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Lakewood
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lakewood for Sociology
Lakewood State University
public
$11,245/yr
$44,980 total
University of Lakewood
public
$12,683/yr
$50,732 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lakewood Community College
$5,959/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Lakewood
Lakewood offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lakewood Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$56K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$54K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$49K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$55K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Thornton, CO
$45K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$46K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$46K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$54K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lakewood
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Lakewood — 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 Lakewood.