Sociology at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's sociology program produces graduates who earn about $35,850 in their first year—more than most sociology programs in Texas and ahead of the national typical graduate. But what makes this program stand out is what happens next: earnings jump 32% to $47,367 by year four, a growth trajectory that suggests this Aggie network and credential open doors over time. Among Texas sociology programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing UT Austin and a few others but outpacing three-quarters of alternatives statewide.

The $19,000 in median debt tells the more encouraging part of this story. That's $6,000 less than what typical sociology graduates carry nationally and in Texas, giving A&M students meaningful breathing room early in their careers. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means graduates owe about half their first-year salary—manageable by most measures, especially for a liberal arts degree where earnings often start modest.

The practical reality: this program won't make your child wealthy quickly, but it positions them reasonably well compared to sociology peers and keeps debt light enough that career exploration remains viable. The strong earnings growth suggests A&M's career services and alumni connections actually deliver for social science majors, not just engineers. If your child is set on sociology, this represents a measured bet—not the highest-earning option in Texas, but one that balances outcomes with affordability.