Median Earnings (1yr)
$33,365
44th percentile
40th percentile in Oklahoma
Median Debt
$24,751
1% below national median

Analysis

Oklahoma State's sociology program delivers below-average outcomes both nationally and within Oklahoma. First-year earnings of $33,365 trail the state median by $2,500 and fall into the 40th percentile among Oklahoma sociology programs—meaning six out of ten comparable programs in the state produce better results. While the debt load of $24,751 isn't catastrophic, it still represents nine months of starting salary, and that's a meaningful burden when peers at University of Central Oklahoma are earning $4,000 more annually right out of the gate.

The 19% earnings growth to $39,574 by year four provides some reassurance that graduates aren't stuck in entry-level positions. However, even after four years, these earnings remain modest for a bachelor's degree holder. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable but offers little margin for error—graduates will need disciplined budgeting to handle loan payments comfortably while building a financial foundation.

For Oklahoma families, this program represents a middle-of-the-road investment at best. If your child is committed to sociology, OU-Norman offers similar outcomes at comparable debt levels and may provide stronger networking opportunities. If career earnings are a primary concern, consider whether this path aligns with realistic post-graduation plans, as sociology degrees typically require graduate school or strategic internship experience to unlock stronger earning potential.

Where Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Oklahoma State University-Main Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus$33,365$39,574+19%
Dartmouth College$64,377$71,802+12%
University of Notre Dame$35,915$71,102+98%
University of Central Oklahoma$37,727$44,557+18%
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus$35,917$41,962+17%

Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater$10,234$33,365$39,574$24,7510.74
University of Central OklahomaEdmond$8,522$37,727$44,557$28,0000.74
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman$9,595$35,917$41,962$24,1720.67
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 Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, approximately 26% 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 53 graduates with reported earnings and 61 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.