Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,506
Est. from OH median (16 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,469
Est. from OH median (4 programs)

Analysis

Capital University's sociology program shows earnings that progress meaningfully over time, with graduates moving from an estimated $36,506 in year one to $51,861 by year four. That trajectory—40% growth in four years—suggests the degree opens doors to better positions as alumni gain experience, a pattern worth noting since many liberal arts fields see slower advancement in the early career phase.

The estimated $27,469 in debt sits just above what's typical for Ohio sociology programs, but the 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory. Based on comparable programs in Ohio, this debt load would take discipline to pay down on that first-year salary, but the stronger fourth-year earnings provide breathing room. What matters here is that Capital's outcomes appear consistent with state norms—programs across Ohio cluster around these figures—while offering notably better mid-career results than the national median of $34,102.

The real question is whether your child can leverage Capital's Columbus location and smaller campus environment to build the internship experience and professional network that turns a sociology degree into career momentum. The earnings data from peer programs suggests this credential can work financially, but only if students actively pursue applied opportunities during college that translate academic knowledge into marketable skills.

Where Capital University Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Capital University—$51,861—
John Carroll University$36,845$48,903+33%
Miami University-Oxford$43,150$47,382+10%
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus$38,034$45,403+19%
Ohio State University-Main Campus$38,034$45,403+19%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (46 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Capital UniversityColumbus$41,788$36,506*$51,861$27,469*—
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$43,150*$47,382$23,500*0.54
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati$13,570$42,507*—$24,250*0.57
Ohio State University-Mansfield CampusMansfield$9,212$38,034*$45,403$21,739*0.57
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$38,034*$45,403$21,739*0.57
John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights$49,100$36,845*$48,903$27,000*0.73
National Median—$34,102*—$25,000*0.73
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Capital University, approximately 31% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 16 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.