Bachelor's-6% vs national median1,079 grads tracked
Sociology at Portland State University
Ranked 165th of 313 bachelor's programs in Sociology by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,111
middle 50%: $26,039 – $45,181
Median · 5 years out
$49,769
middle 50%: $36,243 – $64,793
Median · 10 years out
$64,583
middle 50%: $44,426 – $84,180
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Sociology (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Portland State University Sociology majors start with a median salary of $35k. After five years, earnings rise to $50k, reaching $65k by the tenth year.
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
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,929 total interest
Same major at other universities
Montana State University Bozeman
$50,011 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$49,991 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Illinois University
$49,989 · 5 yrs out
Wheaton College
$49,979 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$49,825 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$49,780 · 5 yrs out
College of Charleston
$49,673 · 5 yrs out
Illinois State University
$49,612 · 5 yrs out
Lamar University
$49,539 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$49,530 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$49,489 · 5 yrs out
Old Dominion University
$49,449 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Portland State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 5 yrs out