Sociology at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas sociology program produces first-year earnings ($42,703) that significantly outpace both the national median by 25% and Kansas's state median by 12%. While this ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—an impressive figure—context matters: Kansas sociology programs generally underperform the nation, so this program's 60th percentile state ranking tells a more grounded story. It essentially ties with Kansas State for the top spot in the state, but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically with more data.

The financial picture looks manageable, with $23,001 in median debt translating to a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates earn roughly twice what they owe. That's better than many liberal arts programs, and the 22% earnings growth to $52,185 by year four suggests career progression rather than stagnation. The debt figure sits slightly below state and national medians, which helps the overall value proposition.

For Kansas families, this appears to be a solid in-state option for sociology, particularly given the university's accessible 88% admission rate. However, treat these numbers as preliminary rather than definitive. The small cohort size means a few high earners or low earners could be skewing the data. If your student is committed to sociology and planning to stay in-state, KU offers competitive outcomes, but verify current program trends before committing.