Sociology at Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho sociology graduates start at $31,353—below the national median but comfortably above Idaho's typical $29,604 for this major. More importantly, the program stands out in this state: it ranks in the 60th percentile among Idaho sociology programs, outearning both Boise State and Idaho State by significant margins. The 41% earnings growth by year four ($44,203) suggests graduates find their footing after an initially modest start.

The real story here is the debt picture. At $14,600, graduates leave with less than half the national median debt for sociology majors and substantially less than other Idaho programs. That 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio means even with the lower starting salary, the debt burden is entirely manageable—graduates could reasonably pay this off within two years of full-time work. For a degree that often saddles students with $25,000+ in loans, this represents genuine financial breathing room.

The tradeoff is clear: you're accepting below-national-average earnings in exchange for minimal debt and solid positioning within Idaho's job market. For students planning to stay in-state or work in fields where sociology serves as a foundation rather than a direct career path, this combination makes sense. The low debt load provides flexibility to pursue graduate school or lower-paying mission-driven work without financial stress.