Median Earnings (1yr)
$37,389
76th percentile
40th percentile in Colorado
Median Debt
$23,000
8% below national median

Analysis

Colorado State University Pueblo's sociology program punches above its weight nationally but sits in the middle of Colorado's pack—a pattern that matters more than the rankings suggest. Graduates earn $37,389 initially, climbing to $47,208 within four years. That 26% earnings growth outpaces most sociology programs and lands the program in the 76th percentile nationally. However, among Colorado's 14 sociology programs, it ranks at the 40th percentile, trailing competitors like Adams State ($46,948) and Western Colorado ($43,178).

The financial fundamentals work in students' favor. With $23,000 in median debt—matching Colorado's state median and below the national average—graduates face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. First-year earnings cover the debt burden comfortably, and by year four, graduates are earning more than twice their debt load. The program's open admissions and modest average SAT scores (1005) suggest accessibility rather than selectivity, yet outcomes remain competitive.

For Colorado families, this represents solid but not exceptional value. If you're comparing in-state options and location flexibility matters, stronger-earning programs exist elsewhere in Colorado. But if Pueblo's location works for your family and your student needs an accessible entry point, the combination of reasonable debt and steady earnings growth makes this a defensible choice—just recognize you're trading geographic convenience for somewhat lower earnings potential compared to other state options.

Where Colorado State University Pueblo Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Colorado State University Pueblo graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Colorado State University Pueblo$37,389$47,208+26%
Metropolitan State University of Denver$42,022$52,565+25%
University of Colorado Boulder$37,958$51,246+35%
Colorado State University-Fort Collins$37,335$49,842+33%
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus$40,011$49,161+23%

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Colorado State University PuebloPueblo$9,401$37,389$47,208$23,0000.62
Adams State UniversityAlamosa$9,776$46,948—$29,4410.63
Western Colorado UniversityGunnison$11,083$43,178$37,385——
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver$10,780$42,022$52,565$26,0000.62
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver$10,017$40,011$49,161$31,0000.77
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder$16,430$37,958$51,246$17,8190.47
National Median—$34,102—$25,0000.73

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 Colorado State University Pueblo, approximately 28% 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 79 graduates with reported earnings and 91 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.