Sociology Degree in Raleigh, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Raleigh, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$37K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$50K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.4 yrs
in Raleigh
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Raleigh, NC Overview
Raleigh is one of North Carolina's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 113,809. Public tuition averages $9,101/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Raleigh is approximately $36,520.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$9,101/yr
Private Tuition
$30,399/yr
Room & Board
$10,389/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,262/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Sociology Salary in Raleigh (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Raleigh's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Raleigh adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Raleigh
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Raleigh tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,101 | Private avg: $30,399
Raleigh avg aid: $7,262/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$77,960
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,470
vs HS diploma in Raleigh
ROI Payback Period
10.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Raleigh
$129,540
Lifetime earnings premium ($207,500) minus total education cost ($77,960)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Raleigh
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Raleigh for Sociology
North Carolina State University
public
$9,101/yr
$36,404 total
Meredith College
private
$42,074/yr
$168,296 total
Shaw University
private
$18,724/yr
$74,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Wake Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Raleigh
Raleigh offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Raleigh Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$39K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$40K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$48K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$47K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$40K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$48K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$42K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$37K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Raleigh
International Relations
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$40K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$37K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$42K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Raleigh — 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 Raleigh.