Sociology at Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State's sociology program carries more debt than 95% of sociology programs nationwide—$31,888 versus a national median of $25,000—while producing earnings that trail elite North Carolina schools by $10,000 or more annually. Yet there's a more nuanced story here: four-year earnings of $37,465 actually rank in the 60th percentile among North Carolina sociology programs, placing FSU graduates ahead of schools like East Carolina and UNC-Pembroke. With strong representation of Pell Grant students (53%), this program serves a population that might otherwise lack access to four-year degrees.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.95 means graduates face nearly a full year's salary in loans—uncomfortable but manageable with consistent employment. Earnings growth of 12% over four years suggests reasonable career progression, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these figures less reliable than data from larger programs. The gap between FSU's $37,465 four-year earnings and Duke's $45,551 reflects institutional prestige differences, but FSU costs considerably less upfront for in-state students.

For families prioritizing affordability and regional employment, this program delivers middle-of-the-pack results in North Carolina's sociology landscape. The higher debt load is the real concern—explore whether your student qualifies for additional grants or scholarships before committing, since reducing that $31,888 burden by even $5,000-$10,000 would significantly improve the value proposition.