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

Analysis

Ohio University-Southern's sociology program outperforms most of its peers, landing in the 69th percentile nationally—well above the national median of $34,102. Within Ohio's 46 sociology programs, it sits at the 60th percentile, which is particularly noteworthy given the state's strong performance in this field. While graduates won't reach the earnings of elite programs like Miami or Cincinnati, they'll start at $36,506 and see solid growth to $45,087 by year four, a 24% increase that suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement.

The debt picture is straightforward: $25,000 matches both national and state medians for sociology degrees, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. That means graduates owe less than 70% of their first-year salary—a reasonable burden that most can handle with standard repayment plans. The combination of above-average earnings and typical debt makes this a better-than-average investment for a social science degree.

For families in southeastern Ohio looking to keep costs down while earning a respectable credential, this program delivers. Your child won't command top-tier earnings, but they'll start with a salary that beats most sociology graduates nationwide and see meaningful income growth during their twenties. The economics work if they're genuinely interested in the field and understand they're choosing passion over peak earning potential.

Where Ohio University-Southern Campus Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Ohio University-Southern 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-Southern 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-Southern CampusIronton$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-Southern Campus, approximately 12% 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.