Sociology at Columbia College

Columbia College's sociology program positions graduates in the top 22% nationally for earnings, though the small graduate sample means these numbers could shift year to year. At $37,758 one year out, graduates here earn roughly $3,000 more than the typical sociology major nationwide and about $2,800 above Missouri's median for the field. Within Missouri, this places the program at the 60th percentile—ahead of flagship Mizzou but slightly behind UMKC and Drury.

The debt picture looks unusually favorable: at $32,276, graduates here carry less debt than 95% of sociology programs nationally, despite the college serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (44%). The 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than their first year's salary, which is manageable territory for a social science degree. However, earnings essentially flatline over the first four years, suggesting this program leads to positions with limited early advancement.

For families comfortable with a liberal arts degree, the combination of better-than-average starting pay and below-average debt makes this a solid in-state option. Just recognize that with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, one unusual cohort could significantly alter these figures—and that sociology careers typically require patience in building earning power over time.