Sociology at Baylor University

Baylor's sociology program produces graduates who earn more than 78% of sociology majors nationally, placing it well above the typical outcomes for this field. First-year earnings of $37,753 exceed both the national median ($34,102) and Texas median ($32,956) by meaningful margins—about $3,600 and $4,800 respectively. While Baylor doesn't quite match UT Austin's outcomes, it sits comfortably in the top tier of Texas sociology programs, performing at the 60th percentile statewide.

The financial equation works reasonably well here. With debt under $26,000 and first-year earnings approaching $38,000, graduates face a manageable debt burden that's actually below the national median for sociology programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means most graduates should be able to handle their loans on entry-level salaries. Earnings growth to $41,408 by year four (a 10% increase) shows steady if unspectacular progression—typical for social science degrees that often lead to professional roles requiring a few years to gain traction.

For families considering Baylor's sociology program, this represents a solid middle-ground option: better outcomes than most schools nationally without the debt load that often accompanies private universities. The program won't deliver the earnings premium of UT Austin, but it combines Baylor's smaller class sizes and faith-based environment with genuinely competitive graduate outcomes.