Bachelor's+4% vs national median1,699 grads tracked
Sociology at Purdue University
Ranked 72nd of 313 bachelor's programs in Sociology by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,707
middle 50%: $26,186 – $46,483
Median · 5 years out
$55,181
middle 50%: $41,557 – $72,391
Median · 10 years out
$68,550
middle 50%: $49,035 – $93,804
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 Purdue University's bachelor's program in Sociology earn a median $35,707 one year after graduating, rising to $68,550 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% above the national median of $53,227 for this field, ranking 72nd 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
7.8 yrs
≈ $9,222 total interest
Same major at other universities
SUNY Cortland
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Purchase
$55,369 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Connecticut State University
$55,368 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Downtown
$55,307 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$55,303 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Geneseo
$55,193 · 5 yrs out
Saint John's University
$55,181 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater State University
$54,927 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$54,919 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Oneonta
$54,843 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$54,794 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$54,639 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Purdue University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out