Sociology Degree in Surprise, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Surprise, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.4 yrs
in Surprise
Cost of Living
100.2
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Surprise, AZ Overview
Surprise, Arizona (pop. 143,148) has 6 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 100.2 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,095/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 Surprise is approximately $44,088.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$11,400/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,357/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,568/yr
Unemployment
3.5%
Graduation Rate
49%
Sociology Salary in Surprise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Surprise's cost of living index of 100.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Surprise adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Surprise
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Surprise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,400 | Private avg: $24,000
Surprise avg aid: $13,568/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,028
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,018
vs HS diploma in Surprise
ROI Payback Period
11.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Surprise
$147,472
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,500) minus total education cost ($103,028)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Surprise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Surprise for Sociology
Surprise State University
public
$12,369/yr
$49,476 total
University of Surprise
public
$12,295/yr
$49,180 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Surprise Community College
$5,065/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Surprise
Surprise offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Surprise Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$67K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$51K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$48K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$55K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$52K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$46K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$55K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$46K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Surprise
International Relations
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$48K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$50K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$44K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$50K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Surprise — 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 Surprise.