Sociology Degree in Lubbock, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Lubbock, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$36K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
13.1 yrs
in Lubbock
Cost of Living
82
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Lubbock, TX Overview
Lubbock is one of Texas's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 104,491. Public tuition averages $11,380/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Lubbock is approximately $36,080.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$11,380/yr
Private Tuition
$26,460/yr
Room & Board
$12,797/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,179/yr
Unemployment
5.5%
Graduation Rate
72%
Sociology Salary in Lubbock (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lubbock's cost of living index of 82 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Lubbock adjustment factor: 0.82x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Lubbock
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Lubbock tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,380 | Private avg: $26,460
Lubbock avg aid: $15,179/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,380
vs HS diploma in Lubbock
ROI Payback Period
13.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lubbock
$108,292
Lifetime earnings premium ($205,000) minus total education cost ($96,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Lubbock
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lubbock for Sociology
Texas Tech University
public
$11,380/yr
$45,520 total
Lubbock Christian University
private
$26,460/yr
$105,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Plains College Lubbock Center
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Lubbock
Lubbock offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lubbock Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$51K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$53K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$46K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$47K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$44K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$41K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$41K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$36K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lubbock
International Relations
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$39K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$41K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$41K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$36K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$41K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Lubbock — 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 Lubbock.