Sociology at Azusa Pacific University

At first glance, Azusa Pacific's sociology program looks weak—earning just $29,683 in the first year puts graduates in the 18th percentile nationally. But dig deeper and you'll find something unusual: four years out, earnings jump to $42,305, a 43% increase that actually places this program near the middle of California's sociology offerings (40th percentile). The problem is that first year, where graduates earn about $5,000 less than the typical California sociology major.

The $21,515 in median debt sits below both national and state averages, which helps offset those lower starting salaries. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 isn't alarming, though it reflects that difficult first year. With an admission rate near 80% and moderate SAT scores, this isn't a highly selective environment, yet outcomes eventually reach respectable territory—landing within striking distance of programs like Occidental College.

Here's the catch: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically unreliable. One or two unusual career paths could swing the data significantly. If your child is considering this program, understand you're looking at a slow start followed by decent growth, but the small sample means actual outcomes could vary substantially. The debt load is manageable, but that rough first year after graduation is real and should factor into financial planning.