Sociology at Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State's sociology program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—both nationally and within Missouri. With first-year earnings of $31,819, graduates earn about $3,000 less than the state median and rank at just the 40th percentile among Missouri sociology programs. The debt load of $25,191 is standard for the field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 that's manageable but not impressive.

The 10% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests modest career progression, though graduates still trail peers from other Missouri schools like Columbia College ($37,758) and UMKC ($36,810) even after four years. The program's 91% admission rate and accessibility make it an option for students who might not gain entry elsewhere, but families should recognize they're not getting a financial edge—this is average performance at an average price point.

For families focused on maximizing return on investment, Missouri State's sociology program delivers exactly what the numbers suggest: median outcomes. If your child is committed to sociology specifically and values the Springfield location, the debt burden won't be crushing. But if earnings potential matters and other Missouri schools are accessible, programs at Columbia College or UMKC show stronger graduate outcomes in the same field.