Sociology Degree in Mesquite, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Mesquite, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.6 yrs
in Mesquite
Cost of Living
92.3
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Mesquite, TX Overview
Mesquite, Texas (pop. 150,108) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 92.3 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $720/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 Mesquite is approximately $40,612.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,260/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,026/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
58%
Sociology Salary in Mesquite (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mesquite's cost of living index of 92.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Mesquite adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Mesquite
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Mesquite tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Mesquite avg aid: $8,026/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$96,640
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,307
vs HS diploma in Mesquite
ROI Payback Period
11.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mesquite
$134,110
Lifetime earnings premium ($230,750) minus total education cost ($96,640)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Mesquite
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mesquite for Sociology
Mesquite State University
public
$10,808/yr
$43,232 total
University of Mesquite
public
$11,881/yr
$47,524 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Mesquite Community College
$5,670/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Mesquite
Mesquite offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mesquite 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 Mesquite
International Relations
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$41K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Mesquite — 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 Mesquite.