Sociology Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$37K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.4 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/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 Lincoln is approximately $37,400.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Sociology Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,650
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
10.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$133,088
Lifetime earnings premium ($212,500) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Sociology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lincoln
International Relations
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Lincoln — 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 Lincoln.