Sociology Degree in New Bedford, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for New Bedford, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
13.3 yrs
in New Bedford
Cost of Living
102.5
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in New Bedford, MA Overview
While New Bedford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Sociology students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,635/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 New Bedford is approximately $45,100.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$16,100/yr
Private Tuition
$48,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,635/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,843/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
63%
Sociology Salary in New Bedford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for New Bedford's cost of living index of 102.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.New Bedford adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for New Bedford
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local New Bedford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,100 | Private avg: $48,000
New Bedford avg aid: $9,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$122,940
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,225
vs HS diploma in New Bedford
ROI Payback Period
13.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in New Bedford
$133,310
Lifetime earnings premium ($256,250) minus total education cost ($122,940)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in New Bedford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in New Bedford for Sociology
New Bedford State University
public
$15,984/yr
$63,936 total
University of New Bedford
public
$18,237/yr
$72,948 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
New Bedford Community College
$5,720/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in New Bedford
New Bedford offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key New Bedford 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
Lowell, MA
$50K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$48K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$57K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$52K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in New Bedford
International Relations
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$51K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$45K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$51K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in New Bedford — 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 New Bedford.