Sociology Degree in Winston-Salem, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Sociology degree analysis for Winston-Salem, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$47K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
in Winston-Salem
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Sociology in Winston-Salem, NC Overview
Winston-Salem is one of North Carolina's top college towns, with 26 institutions and a student population of 19,225. Public tuition averages $6,432/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. 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 Winston-Salem is approximately $46,640.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
26
Public Tuition
$6,432/yr
Private Tuition
$60,894/yr
Room & Board
$11,486/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,995/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
70%
Sociology Salary in Winston-Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Winston-Salem's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Sociology salary: $44,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Winston-Salem adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Sociology ROI Calculator for Winston-Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Sociology degree using local Winston-Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,432 | Private avg: $60,894
Winston-Salem avg aid: $16,995/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$71,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,540
vs HS diploma in Winston-Salem
ROI Payback Period
7.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Winston-Salem
$193,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($265,000) minus total education cost ($71,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Sociology in Winston-Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Winston-Salem for Sociology
Wake Forest University
private
$60,894/yr
$243,576 total
Winston-Salem State University
public
$6,432/yr
$25,728 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Forsyth Technical Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Sociology in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Sociology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Winston-Salem Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Sociology Job Titles
Sociology in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$39K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$37K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$40K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$48K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$40K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$48K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$42K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
High Point, NC
$37K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Winston-Salem
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$51K 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
$47K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology Degree in Winston-Salem — 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 Winston-Salem.