Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,740
39th percentile
40th percentile in Indiana
Median Debt
$20,993
16% below national median

Analysis

Starting salary of $32,740 puts Indiana University-Kokomo's sociology program slightly below both the state and national medians—roughly $1,400 less than what typical Indiana sociology graduates earn. Within the state, this program sits at the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten Indiana sociology programs deliver better early earnings. The debt load of $20,993 is actually favorable compared to the national benchmark, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64, but it's worth noting that debt here is higher than at some stronger-earning Indiana programs.

The challenge is that these numbers come from a very small graduating class (under 30 students), which makes it difficult to know if they're truly representative. One unusually high or low earner can significantly skew the median when samples are this small. Regional employment opportunities in the Kokomo area may also play a role in these outcomes, as local job markets matter considerably for liberal arts graduates.

For families looking at sociology programs in Indiana, this data suggests IU-Kokomo isn't breaking out from the pack despite its reasonable debt levels. The gap to top performers is substantial—University of Southern Indiana graduates earn $7,500 more right out of the gate. If your student is set on IU-Kokomo for location or cost reasons, it's serviceable, but if they have flexibility, exploring higher-earning programs within the state could mean meaningfully better financial footing after graduation.

Where Indiana University-Kokomo Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-Kokomo graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (31 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Indiana University-KokomoKokomo$8,179$32,740—$20,9930.64
University of Southern IndianaEvansville$10,136$40,255$43,406——
Franklin CollegeFranklin$37,350$37,759—$27,0000.72
Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette$9,992$36,826$44,808$20,5000.56
University of Notre DameNotre Dame$62,693$35,915$71,102$19,8000.55
Purdue University NorthwestHammond$8,419$35,334$43,549$24,5000.69
National Median—$34,102—$25,0000.73

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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 Indiana University-Kokomo, approximately 35% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.