WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-14% vs national median195 grads tracked

Sociology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 245th of 313 bachelor's programs in Sociology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$29,253
middle 50%: $21,804 – $39,253
Median · 5 years out
$45,751
middle 50%: $35,548 – $60,387
Median · 10 years out
$54,656
middle 50%: $41,074 – $77,744

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Sociology (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's bachelor's program in Sociology earn a median $29,253 one year after graduating, rising to $54,656 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $53,227 for this field, ranking 245th of 313 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
9.5 yrs
≈ $11,579 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
$46,124 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$46,109 · 5 yrs out
Presbyterian College
$46,055 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$45,942 · 5 yrs out
Averett University
$45,933 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Hilo
$45,846 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Saint Louis
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Covenant College
$45,751 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
$45,647 · 5 yrs out
Hollins University
$45,365 · 5 yrs out
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
$45,333 · 5 yrs out
Shawnee State University
$45,260 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

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