Sociology at Biola University

Biola's sociology graduates start at a challenging $30,092—well below both the national median of $34,102 and California's $34,714—but the program shows remarkable momentum with earnings climbing 67% to reach $50,380 by year four. That trajectory pulls graduates from the 20th percentile nationally up past many better-starting programs, though it means weathering some difficult early years.

The debt picture offers some comfort here: at $26,990, graduates carry manageable loans that represent less than a year's starting salary. However, California context matters—most CA sociology programs saddle students with just $16,500 in debt, nearly $10,000 less than Biola. That gap means Biola grads face tighter budgets during those crucial first years when earnings are lowest, even as they're making progress their peers at cheaper in-state schools may not match later.

For families willing to invest in private Christian education and accept financial strain early on, the payoff materializes by year four when Biola graduates are out-earning the median by nearly $16,000. But parents should honestly assess whether their child can manage on $30,000 in an expensive California market while making loan payments. The growth trajectory is real, but those first few years require either family support or careful budgeting most UC graduates won't face.