Sociology Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
11.1 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/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 Syracuse is approximately $60,280.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Sociology Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,330
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
11.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$205,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($342,500) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Sociology
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$73K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$82K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$64K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$54K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$62K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$67K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$64K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$62K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Syracuse
International Relations
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$66K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$69K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$69K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$69K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.