Sociology at The University of Texas at El Paso

UTEP's sociology program starts graduates at $29,000—below both state and national benchmarks—but that initial gap narrows substantially over time. While first-year earnings land in the 15th percentile nationally, the 42% jump to $41,000 by year four suggests graduates gain traction in the El Paso market, where cost of living is lower than Texas metros like Austin or Dallas. Among Texas sociology programs, this ranks squarely in the middle at the 40th percentile, notably trailing UT Austin ($40,000) and other state flagships.

The $22,300 median debt is actually lower than typical sociology borrowing, producing a manageable 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. For a school serving predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible students (61%), that relatively modest debt burden matters—especially given the program's strong earnings trajectory. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few outliers could be skewing these numbers either direction.

For families in the El Paso region where UTEP is often the most accessible option, this program offers a reasonable path if your student plans to work locally and doesn't mind starting modestly. The debt won't be crushing, and earnings improve meaningfully within four years. For families who can access higher-ranked Texas programs, those deliver better immediate outcomes that might justify the additional investment.