Sociology Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.8 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sociology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $47,520.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Sociology Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,720
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
7.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$194,524
Lifetime earnings premium ($270,000) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Sociology
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$46K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$45K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$36K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$43K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$37K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$38K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$42K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$42K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lawrence
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$48K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.