Bachelor's-10% vs national median571 grads tracked
Sociology at Western Illinois University
Ranked 205th of 313 bachelor's programs in Sociology by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,831
middle 50%: $25,190 – $43,380
Median · 5 years out
$47,992
middle 50%: $36,632 – $64,131
Median · 10 years out
$59,362
middle 50%: $45,751 – $82,537
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Sociology (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Sociology graduates from Western Illinois University start with a median salary of $34k. Earnings increase to $59k after ten years.
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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,416 total interest
Same major at other universities
Chicago State University
$48,258 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Harrisburg
$48,258 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$48,182 · 5 yrs out
Midwestern State University
$48,182 · 5 yrs out
University of Lynchburg
$48,144 · 5 yrs out
Western Carolina University
$48,042 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$47,947 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$47,911 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
$47,901 · 5 yrs out
Southern Utah University
$47,892 · 5 yrs out
Stephen F Austin State University
$47,864 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Brockport
$47,859 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Illinois University
Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out