Analysis
Based on comparable sociology programs in Kansas, Pittsburg State appears positioned right in the middle of the state's outcomes—neither standout nor concerning. The estimated $38,075 first-year earnings track exactly with the state median and sit comfortably above the national median of $34,102, suggesting that Kansas sociology graduates generally fare better than their counterparts elsewhere. The estimated $27,000 debt load produces a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly 70% of their first year's salary.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With small graduate cohorts forcing the DOE to suppress Pittsburg State's actual data, we're working from state averages that include programs ranging from Kansas State's $43,000 outcomes down to Emporia State's $29,000. Your child could land anywhere in that $14,000 spread. What we do know is that sociology bachelor's degrees typically lead to careers in social services, non-profits, and government—fields where earnings grow slowly and geographic location matters considerably for job availability.
For an accessible state university with an 88% admission rate, these projected outcomes suggest reasonable value if your child has clear career goals that leverage the degree. But the lack of program-specific data means you're making this decision somewhat blind—it's worth reaching out to Pittsburg State's career services to understand where their sociology graduates actually land and whether those outcomes align with your family's expectations.
Where Pittsburg State University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,008 | $38,075* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $10,942 | $42,985* | $40,827 | $25,946* | 0.60 | |
| $11,700 | $42,703* | $52,185 | $23,001* | 0.54 | |
| $5,633 | $38,075* | $42,654 | $33,482* | 0.88 | |
| $9,322 | $35,236* | $34,049 | $30,500* | 0.87 | |
| $7,356 | $29,313* | $32,383 | $27,000* | 0.92 | |
| National Median | — | $34,102* | — | $25,000* | 0.73 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
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 Pittsburg State University, approximately 32% 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.