Median Earnings (1yr)
$33,566
46th percentile
60th percentile in Arkansas
Median Debt
$24,225
3% below national median

Analysis

University of Arkansas sociology graduates start modestly but show impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 31% to $44,028 by year four—a trajectory that outpaces many liberal arts majors. While the initial $33,566 salary sits slightly below the national average for sociology programs, it ranks in the 60th percentile among Arkansas schools, meaning your child would likely earn more here than at six out of ten in-state alternatives.

The $24,225 debt load is actually lower than both state and national medians for this degree, creating a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio that many families could handle comfortably. This combination of below-average debt and above-state-average earnings positions U of A as the sensible Arkansas option for sociology—particularly compared to programs like University of Central Arkansas where graduates earn $2,000 less annually with similar debt burdens.

The real question is whether sociology itself fits your child's career plans. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't a massive program, but the strong four-year earnings growth indicates graduates are finding their footing in the job market. For a student committed to sociology who wants to stay in Arkansas, this represents solid value: better outcomes than most state competitors, reasonable debt, and clear income progression after graduation.

Where University of Arkansas Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Arkansas graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Arkansas$33,566$44,028+31%
Dartmouth College$64,377$71,802+12%
University of Notre Dame$35,915$71,102+98%
University of Central Arkansas$31,867$39,509+24%
Arkansas State University$34,105$35,781+5%

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (11 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of ArkansasFayetteville$9,748$33,566$44,028$24,2250.72
Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro$7,754$34,105$35,781$38,0641.12
Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville$8,508$32,924—$23,1800.70
University of Central ArkansasConway$10,118$31,867$39,509$26,3720.83
National Median—$34,102—$25,0000.73

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 University of Arkansas, approximately 17% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 55 graduates with reported earnings and 67 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.