Sociology Degree in Rochester, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Rochester, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$63K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
9.2 yrs
in Rochester
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Rochester, MN Overview
Rochester, Minnesota (pop. 121,395) has 8 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $933/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 Rochester is approximately $46,200.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$8,930/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,715/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,803/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
63%
Sociology Salary in Rochester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rochester's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Rochester adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Rochester
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Rochester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,930 | Private avg: $42,000
Rochester avg aid: $11,803/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,580
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,450
vs HS diploma in Rochester
ROI Payback Period
9.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rochester
$175,920
Lifetime earnings premium ($262,500) minus total education cost ($86,580)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Rochester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rochester for Sociology
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
private
$42,000/yr
$168,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rochester Community and Technical College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Rochester
Rochester offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rochester Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Minneapolis, MN
$43K starting · COL 97
15 colleges
Saint Paul, MN
$45K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$48K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Duluth, MN
$44K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$44K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$43K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$47K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$47K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Rochester
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Rochester — 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 Rochester.