Sociology at Benedictine University

Similar sociology programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $35,000 against debt near $26,500—a 0.76 ratio that's manageable by conventional standards but leaves little room for error. With 39% of Benedictine students receiving Pell grants, that debt load represents a meaningful burden for families already stretched financially, and sociology bachelor's degrees rarely command premium starting salaries regardless of the institution.

The earnings estimate aligns closely with the national median for sociology majors ($34,102), which tells you this is simply what the field pays entry-level workers. However, other Illinois schools with reported data show graduates earning $37,000 to $43,000 in their first year—Chicago State and McKendree sociology majors, for instance, are pulling $40,000+. Whether Benedictine's actual outcomes match these stronger performers or trail closer to the state average remains unknown due to insufficient graduate data for publication.

Your child would be borrowing roughly three-quarters of their expected first-year salary for a degree in a field where career advancement often requires graduate education. If they're committed to sociology specifically, push them to understand what graduate school might cost and what jobs realistically look like with just a bachelor's. If they're still exploring, degrees with clearer career pathways might justify similar debt more easily.