Sociology at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

LSU's sociology program starts graduates at just $27,846—roughly $6,000 below the national median and in the bottom 5% nationally. However, context matters here: this is actually the median for Louisiana sociology programs, where other schools like Nicholls State and McNeese produce higher first-year earnings. Within Louisiana, LSU ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it's middle-of-the-pack for the state but significantly behind the pack nationally.

The story improves considerably with time. Earnings jump 64% to $45,645 by year four, suggesting sociology graduates find their footing after an initial struggle. The $24,959 in typical debt sits right at national norms, creating a manageable 0.90 debt-to-earnings ratio even with the low starting salary. That strong earnings growth is the program's saving grace—by year four, graduates have moved past the concerning initial numbers.

For a flagship state university, these outcomes raise questions. If your child is set on sociology at LSU, they should plan for lean early years and understand they'll likely be competing with peers from other Louisiana schools who start with a financial advantage. The program appears to prepare students for eventual career growth, but the runway to get there is longer and bumpier than at many comparable institutions.