Sociology Degree in Plano, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Plano, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$37K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$51K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Plano
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Plano, TX Overview
Plano, Texas (pop. 285,494) has 9 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $849/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 Plano is approximately $37,400.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$2,220/yr
Private Tuition
$39,702/yr
Room & Board
$12,277/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,063/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
57%
Sociology Salary in Plano (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Plano's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Plano adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Plano
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Plano tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,220 | Private avg: $39,702
Plano avg aid: $15,063/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$57,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,650
vs HS diploma in Plano
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Plano
$154,512
Lifetime earnings premium ($212,500) minus total education cost ($57,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Plano
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Plano for Sociology
Collin College University Center
public
$2,220/yr
$8,880 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Collin College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Plano
Plano offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Plano 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 Plano
International Relations
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$41K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$43K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$43K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Plano — 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 Plano.