Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,506
69th percentile
60th percentile in Ohio
Median Debt
$25,000
At national median

Analysis

Ohio University-Lancaster's sociology program delivers something increasingly rare: sociology graduates who actually see meaningful wage growth. While the $36,506 starting salary lands squarely at the Ohio median, earnings jump 24% by year four—reaching $45,087. That trajectory matters more than the modest start, especially when you're carrying $25,000 in debt that equals just 68% of first-year income.

The real story emerges in comparison to other Ohio programs. While top-tier options like Miami University ($43,150) and UC ($42,507) start stronger, Lancaster graduates match or exceed the state median by year four. This ranking at the 60th percentile among Ohio sociology programs is respectable for a regional campus, particularly given the significantly lower cost structure compared to residential flagships. The unusually low 9% Pell grant rate suggests this campus primarily serves middle-income families who need affordable access to state university credentials.

For parents, the calculus here is straightforward: you're paying typical sociology program debt for a degree that performs at or slightly above average within Ohio. The strong earnings growth indicates these graduates aren't stuck in entry-level positions, which is often the concern with social science degrees. If your student is committed to sociology and values staying close to home, this delivers solid middle-of-the-pack value without the premium pricing of Ohio's flagship campuses.

Where Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Ohio University-Lancaster Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus$36,506$45,087+24%
John Carroll University$36,845$48,903+33%
Miami University-Oxford$43,150$47,382+10%
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus$38,034$45,403+19%
Ohio State University-Main Campus$38,034$45,403+19%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (46 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Ohio University-Lancaster CampusLancaster$6,178$36,506$45,087$25,0000.68
Miami University-OxfordOxford$17,809$43,150$47,382$23,5000.54
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati$13,570$42,507$24,2500.57
Ohio State University-Mansfield CampusMansfield$9,212$38,034$45,403$21,7390.57
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus$12,859$38,034$45,403$21,7390.57
John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights$49,100$36,845$48,903$27,0000.73
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 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus, approximately 9% 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 90 graduates with reported earnings and 132 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.