Sociology at Doane University

With a small graduating class, Doane's sociology program shows initial earnings trailing both state and national medians—$32,351 versus Nebraska's $36,809 and the national $34,102. Among the state's ten sociology programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning graduates here earn less than most Nebraska peers. The $26,000 debt load isn't excessive, but paired with below-average starting pay, graduates face a tighter financial squeeze in those crucial first years after college.

The bright spot is meaningful earnings growth: graduates see a 42% jump to $45,774 by year four, suggesting the degree creates pathways to better opportunities once students gain experience. However, the very small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift dramatically with just a few data points. One graduate landing a high-paying job or several facing unemployment could swing these figures significantly.

For families considering this program, understand that you're looking at limited evidence. The trajectory improves over time, but starting salaries fall short of what similar programs deliver across Nebraska. If your child is committed to sociology and values Doane's small-school environment, the debt remains manageable. Just know they'll likely need to supplement their degree with internships or specific skills to reach competitive earnings faster than the data suggests.