WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+8% vs national median525 grads tracked

Sociology at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Ranked 41st of 313 bachelor's programs in Sociology by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,958
middle 50%: $25,363 – $47,255
Median · 5 years out
$57,719
middle 50%: $42,437 – $78,142
Median · 10 years out
$75,717
middle 50%: $56,029 – $109,303

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 Pennsylvania State University (The)'s bachelor's program in Sociology earn a median $34,958 one year after graduating, rising to $75,717 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 8% above the national median of $53,227 for this field, ranking 41st 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $9,022 total interest

Same major at other universities

City College of New York - CUNY
$58,156 · 5 yrs out
University of Hartford
$58,150 · 5 yrs out
Miami University
$58,150 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
$57,957 · 5 yrs out
University of Mary Washington
$57,784 · 5 yrs out
Westfield State University
$57,769 · 5 yrs out
CUNY York College
$57,713 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Lehman College
$57,660 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Old Westbury
$57,461 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston
$57,408 · 5 yrs out
West Texas A&M University
$57,372 · 5 yrs out
Arizona State University
$57,138 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out

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