Sociology Degree in Virginia Beach, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Virginia Beach, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$39K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
10.5 yrs
in Virginia Beach
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Virginia Beach, VA Overview
Virginia Beach, Virginia (pop. 459,470) has 13 colleges offering Sociology programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $975/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 Virginia Beach is approximately $38,720.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,210/yr
Private Tuition
$28,926/yr
Room & Board
$9,485/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,610/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Sociology Salary in Virginia Beach (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Virginia Beach adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Virginia Beach
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Virginia Beach tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,210 | Private avg: $28,926
Virginia Beach avg aid: $12,610/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,780
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$7,920
vs HS diploma in Virginia Beach
ROI Payback Period
10.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Virginia Beach
$137,220
Lifetime earnings premium ($220,000) minus total education cost ($82,780)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Virginia Beach
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Virginia Beach for Sociology
Regent University
private
$19,100/yr
$76,400 total
Virginia Wesleyan University
private
$38,752/yr
$155,008 total
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Virginia Beach Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby Virginia Cities
Chesapeake, VA
$40K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$63K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$41K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$44K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$41K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$45K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$43K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$39K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Virginia Beach
International Relations
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$44K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Virginia Beach — 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 Virginia Beach.