Sociology Degree in Lowell, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Lowell, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
12.2 yrs
in Lowell
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Lowell, MA Overview
While Lowell has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Sociology students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,748/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 Lowell is approximately $49,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,748/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,502/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
73%
Sociology Salary in Lowell (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lowell's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Lowell adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Lowell
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Lowell tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
Lowell avg aid: $14,502/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$123,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,125
vs HS diploma in Lowell
ROI Payback Period
12.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lowell
$157,858
Lifetime earnings premium ($281,250) minus total education cost ($123,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Lowell
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lowell for Sociology
Lowell State University
public
$16,448/yr
$65,792 total
University of Lowell
public
$18,005/yr
$72,020 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lowell Community College
$6,184/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Lowell
Lowell offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lowell Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$60K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Worcester, MA
$51K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$59K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$59K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Brockton, MA
$48K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$57K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$45K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lowell
International Relations
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$56K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Lowell — 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 Lowell.