Sociology (Bachelor's Degree) at Missouri Southern State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,942

Est. from MO median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,646

Est. from MO median (6 programs)

Analysis

Similar sociology programs across Missouri suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—essentially matching the national median for this major—while debt at this school typically runs about $24,600. That 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio falls into acceptable territory, meaning graduates would need roughly 71% of their first year's salary to clear their educational debt, assuming they dedicated all earnings to repayment.

The reality check: sociology bachelor's degrees rarely command premium salaries straight out of college, regardless of where you earn them. The estimated figures here align closely with what comparable programs produce statewide, and Missouri Southern's open-admission environment (97% acceptance rate) serves a population where 35% receive Pell grants. For many students, keeping debt under $25,000 while earning a four-year degree represents reasonable financial management, even if the absolute earnings number feels modest.

The uncertainty matters, though. Without actual outcome data for Missouri Southern's sociology graduates specifically, you're making decisions based on what peer programs typically deliver. Before committing, verify that this degree aligns with a realistic career path—many sociology-related jobs require graduate education or significant internship experience to reach livable wages. The numbers suggest affordability rather than risk, but they don't guarantee this particular program will launch your child into financial independence on graduation day.

Where Missouri Southern State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (28 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin	$8,400	$34,942*	—	$24,646*	—
Columbia CollegeColumbia	$24,326	$37,758*	$38,279	$32,276*	0.85
University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City	$11,988	$36,810*	$44,252	$20,799*	0.57
Drury UniversitySpringfield	$35,235	$35,881*	$34,669	$33,900*	0.94
Drury University-College of Continuing Professional StudiesSpringfield	$8,044	$35,881*	$34,669	$33,900*	0.94
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis	$13,440	$34,942*	$41,287	$26,686*	0.76
National Median	—	$34,102*	—	$25,000*	0.73

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Missouri Southern State University, 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.