Sociology Degree in Springfield, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Springfield, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$55K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
12.6 yrs
in Springfield
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Springfield, IL Overview
Springfield, Illinois (pop. 114,394) has 9 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $642/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 Springfield is approximately $40,480.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$12,413/yr
Private Tuition
$27,201/yr
Room & Board
$13,584/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,401/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
61%
Sociology Salary in Springfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Springfield's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Springfield adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Springfield
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Springfield tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,413 | Private avg: $27,201
Springfield avg aid: $7,401/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$8,280
vs HS diploma in Springfield
ROI Payback Period
12.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Springfield
$126,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($230,000) minus total education cost ($103,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Springfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Springfield for Sociology
University of Illinois Springfield
public
$12,413/yr
$49,652 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lincoln Land Community College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Springfield
Springfield offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Springfield Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$48K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$41K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$48K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$45K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$40K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$35K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Peoria, IL
$46K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$40K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Springfield
International Relations
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$46K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$40K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$46K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Springfield — 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 Springfield.