Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (34 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Guilford College$42,222
Wake Forest University$46,257$57,671$23,0000.50
Duke University$45,551$53,607
North Carolina State University at Raleigh$35,510$22,7870.64
University of North Carolina at Pembroke$34,051$35,722$28,5260.84
Fayetteville State University$33,544$37,465$31,8880.95
National Median$34,102$25,0000.73

Other Sociology Programs in North Carolina

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem
$64,758$46,257$23,000
Duke University
Durham
$65,805$45,551
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh
$8,895$35,510$22,787
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke
$3,571$34,051$28,526
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville
$3,969$33,544$31,888

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 Guilford College, approximately 44% 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.