Sociology at Coastal Carolina University

Coastal Carolina's sociology program starts at a concerning first-year salary of just $24,738—ranking in the bottom 5% nationally and 25th percentile among South Carolina programs. However, the story doesn't end there: earnings jump 56% by year four to $38,547, which actually exceeds the national median and approaches what Clemson graduates earn initially.

The question is whether that eventual growth justifies the difficult first years. With $26,475 in typical debt, new graduates face payments that consume a significant portion of that $24,738 starter salary. This makes the immediate post-graduation period financially precarious, even though the trajectory improves substantially. Among the 21 sociology programs in South Carolina, this one ranks toward the bottom for early earnings—programs at Clemson, Winthrop, and USC-Columbia all provide stronger starting positions.

The 56% earnings growth is genuinely impressive and suggests graduates eventually find their footing in the job market. But that first year represents a real financial hardship period that requires either family support, careful budgeting, or additional employment to manage. If your child can weather those initial lean years—perhaps through living at home or having minimal other expenses—this program does deliver reasonable mid-career outcomes. If they need to be financially independent immediately after graduation, the other South Carolina options offer more stable launching pads.