Sociology Degree in Metairie, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Metairie, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$39K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.5 yrs
in Metairie
Cost of Living
89.4
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Metairie, LA Overview
Metairie, Louisiana (pop. 138,481) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 89.4 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $645/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 Metairie is approximately $39,336.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$9,800/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,366/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,835/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Sociology Salary in Metairie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Metairie's cost of living index of 89.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Metairie adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Metairie
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Metairie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $28,000
Metairie avg aid: $14,835/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,046
vs HS diploma in Metairie
ROI Payback Period
11.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Metairie
$130,836
Lifetime earnings premium ($223,500) minus total education cost ($92,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Metairie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Metairie for Sociology
Metairie State University
public
$8,983/yr
$35,932 total
University of Metairie
public
$10,583/yr
$42,332 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metairie Community College
$4,982/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Metairie
Metairie offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Metairie Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$40K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$36K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$44K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$46K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$35K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$39K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$41K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Metairie
International Relations
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$45K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$45K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Metairie — 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 Metairie.