Sociology Degree in Pasadena, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Pasadena, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$39K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
12.5 yrs
in Pasadena
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Pasadena, TX Overview
Pasadena, Texas (pop. 152,272) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 88.5 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/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 Pasadena is approximately $38,940.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,948/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,306/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
51%
Sociology Salary in Pasadena (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pasadena's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Pasadena adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Pasadena
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Pasadena tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Pasadena avg aid: $9,306/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$99,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,965
vs HS diploma in Pasadena
ROI Payback Period
12.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pasadena
$121,858
Lifetime earnings premium ($221,250) minus total education cost ($99,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Pasadena
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pasadena for Sociology
Pasadena State University
public
$10,249/yr
$40,996 total
University of Pasadena
public
$12,075/yr
$48,300 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pasadena Community College
$5,344/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Pasadena
Pasadena offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pasadena 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 Pasadena
International Relations
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Pasadena — 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 Pasadena.