Sociology at Bellevue University

Peer sociology programs in Nebraska suggest first-year earnings around $36,800, which would place this program right at the state median—slightly above the national benchmark of $34,100. With estimated debt of $26,000, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71, meaning they'd owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary. That's a manageable starting point, though not exactly comfortable given that sociology bachelor's degrees rarely command premium salaries early in careers.

The comparison to other Nebraska programs is instructive. University of Nebraska at Omaha reports actual outcomes about $4,000 higher, while Doane University comes in lower. If Bellevue's program performs like the state average suggests, graduates would be borrowing a reasonable amount relative to what they're likely to earn—but there's no guarantee this specific program hits that mark. The national data shows sociology programs vary enormously in outcomes, and without actual reported data from Bellevue itself, you're essentially betting on typicality.

Given that 29% of Bellevue students receive Pell grants, debt management matters here. A $26,000 debt load is workable if those estimated earnings materialize, but sociology degrees often require graduate school or strategic job-hunting to reach stable career footing. The estimated figures suggest this program shouldn't create crushing debt, but confirm that Bellevue graduates are actually finding employment at comparable rates and salaries before committing.