Entry Level Salary
$39,393
Median Salary
$73,158
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,926,320
Entry (Early)
$39,393
Median (Prime)
$73,158
High (Prime)
$76,692
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-100k
+188k
+216k
$25k / yr
-190k
+98k
+127k
$50k / yr
-280k
+8k
+37k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
28
$25k / yr
Never
38
35
$50k / yr
Never
60
50
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-175%
90%
116%
$50k / yr
-129%
4%
17%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate35.6%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
4.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$42,094
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Management occupations
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,228
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$90,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Social workers, all other
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$65,279
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$131,198|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Postsecondary teachers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$23,116
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,888|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Education and childcare administrators
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$80,232|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Human resources workers
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,735|$74,220
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.8%
Social and community service managers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,324
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,154|$78,240
openings
18,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
Customer service representatives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$45,815|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Registered nurses
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| sociology and anthropology. | Bachelor's Degree | 38 | $41,529 - $60,225 |
| sociology. | Undergrad Certificate | 10 | $46,652 - $60,959 |
| sociology. | Associate's Degree | 161 | $34,788 - $64,174 |
| sociology. | Bachelor's Degree | 949 | $26,901 - $101,536 |
| sociology. | Master's Degree | 186 | $59,203 - $93,752 |
| sociology. | Doctoral Degree | 117 | $101,699 - $103,675 |
| sociology. | Level 99 | 9 | Data N/A |