Sociology (Bachelor's Degree) at California State University-Long Beach

Median Earnings (1yr)

$31,270

27th percentile

40th percentile in California

Median Debt

$12,831

49% below national median

Analysis

Cal State Long Beach's sociology program stands out for its remarkably low debt burden—graduates leave with just $12,831 in debt compared to the national median of $25,000 and California's $16,500. This makes it one of the most affordable sociology programs in the country, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story of growth over time. While starting salaries of $31,270 lag behind both national and state medians, graduates see substantial 45% income growth by year four, reaching $45,282. Among California's 64 sociology programs, this places CSU Long Beach at the 40th percentile—middle of the pack in a competitive state market. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 is excellent, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to manage their loan payments.

For families prioritizing financial accessibility, this program delivers strong value. The combination of minimal debt and solid earnings growth creates a pathway to financial stability without the burden that plagues many liberal arts graduates. While starting salaries won't impress, the 45% income bump over four years suggests graduates develop marketable skills. This is a smart choice for students who want a sociology degree without taking on crushing debt.

Where California State University-Long Beach Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How California State University-Long Beach graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
California State University-Long Beach	$31,270	$45,282	+45%
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	$30,401	$67,872	+123%
University of California-Berkeley	$40,774	$64,119	+57%
Santa Clara University	$53,612	$62,009	+16%
University of San Francisco	$36,183	$61,096	+69%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (64 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach	$7,008	$31,270	$45,282	$12,831	0.41
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara	$59,241	$53,612	$62,009	—	—
National UniversitySan Diego	$13,320	$46,505	$45,370	$28,125	0.60
Ashford UniversitySan Diego	$13,160	$43,202	$37,947	$39,041	0.90
Occidental CollegeLos Angeles	$63,446	$42,653	$48,239	$21,250	0.50
University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley	$14,850	$40,774	$64,119	$13,131	0.32
National Median	—	$34,102	—	$25,000	0.73

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Long Beach, approximately 49% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 386 graduates with reported earnings and 300 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.