Sociology at Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State's sociology program produces graduates who start modestly but show impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 33% to nearly $43,000 by year four. More notably, while the program lands in just the 34th percentile nationally, it ranks in the 60th percentile among Michigan sociology programs—meaning it outperforms most in-state alternatives despite the state's relatively weak showing for this major overall.

The $26,000 debt load is reasonable, sitting near both national and state medians, and the 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than their first year's salary. That four-year earnings trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing in the job market, which matters more for long-term prospects than the modest starting salary. For context, this program performs on par with Wayne State and isn't far behind Michigan State's sociology graduates, despite Grand Valley's 95% acceptance rate.

The practical reality: this represents a solid middle-of-the-pack option for Michigan families, especially given likely in-state tuition advantages. The debt burden won't be crushing, and the earnings growth pattern indicates graduates develop marketable skills. If your student is committed to sociology and planning to stay in Michigan, this program delivers comparable outcomes to more selective state schools at potentially lower cost.