Sociology (Bachelor's Degree) at Ottawa University-Ottawa

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,075

Est. from KS median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,000

Est. from national median (131 programs)

Analysis

A $26,000 debt load for a degree that similar Kansas sociology programs suggest will earn around $38,000 in year one creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68—lower than many bachelor's programs. That said, sociology graduates nationally typically start around $34,000, making the Kansas estimate appear somewhat optimistic, though it aligns with what several state schools actually report for their graduates.

The real challenge isn't the debt level but the earnings trajectory. Sociology bachelor's degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate school, social work credentials, or other specialized training rather than direct career paths. When comparable programs at Kansas State and KU produce first-year earnings above $42,000, the $38,000 estimate for Ottawa suggests this degree may require additional investment—either geographic relocation or further education—to maximize returns. The 35% Pell grant population indicates Ottawa serves many students for whom an extra year of graduate school or certification could strain finances further.

For families weighing this investment: the debt itself isn't alarming, but the limited earning power of a standalone sociology degree means your child should have a clear plan for what comes next. If law school, an MSW, or another graduate program is the goal, factor those additional costs into your decision now rather than later.

Where Ottawa University-Ottawa Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

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

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa	$35,300	$38,075*	—	$26,000*	—
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$42,985*	$40,827	$25,946*	0.60
University of KansasLawrence	$11,700	$42,703*	$52,185	$23,001*	0.54
Fort Hays State UniversityHays	$5,633	$38,075*	$42,654	$33,482*	0.88
Wichita State UniversityWichita	$9,322	$35,236*	$34,049	$30,500*	0.87
Emporia State UniversityEmporia	$7,356	$29,313*	$32,383	$27,000*	0.92
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 Ottawa University-Ottawa, 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 5 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.