Sociology at Savannah State University

Savannah State's sociology graduates earn about $28,700 in their first year—roughly $6,000 below Georgia's median for the field and $5,400 below the national average. While this lands the program in the 14th percentile nationally, it performs closer to the middle of the pack within Georgia (40th percentile), where it trails similar-sized state schools like Columbus State and Georgia Southern by $6,000 or more.

The program's saving grace is manageable debt: at $29,000, graduates carry slightly more than the state average but start with a debt-to-earnings ratio just above 1:1. That means first-year earnings nearly cover the total borrowing—a reasonable position for a social science degree, though earnings remain modest even by sociology standards. The 7% growth to $30,738 by year four suggests stability rather than trajectory.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. For families considering this program, the decision hinges on post-graduation plans: if graduate school or public service work is the goal, the debt load is workable. But if immediate financial independence matters, comparable Georgia programs offer $4,000-$6,000 higher starting salaries for similar debt levels. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on quick returns that this program struggles to deliver.