Sociology Degree in Memphis, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Memphis, TN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$56K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.5 yrs
in Memphis
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Memphis, TN Overview
Memphis is one of Tennessee's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 42,935. Public tuition averages $9,944/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 Memphis is approximately $40,920.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$9,944/yr
Private Tuition
$44,033/yr
Room & Board
$14,138/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,619/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
72%
Sociology Salary in Memphis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Memphis's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Memphis adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Memphis
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Memphis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,944 | Private avg: $44,033
Memphis avg aid: $10,619/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,328
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,370
vs HS diploma in Memphis
ROI Payback Period
11.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Memphis
$136,172
Lifetime earnings premium ($232,500) minus total education cost ($96,328)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Memphis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Memphis for Sociology
University of Memphis
public
$9,944/yr
$39,776 total
Rhodes College
private
$52,366/yr
$209,464 total
Christian Brothers University
private
$35,700/yr
$142,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southwest Tennessee Community College
$4,464/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Memphis
Memphis offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Memphis Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$40K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Knoxville, TN
$37K starting · COL 85
5 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$35K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$40K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$40K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$36K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$46K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Memphis
International Relations
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$47K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$47K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Memphis — 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 Memphis.