Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,946
Est. from VA median (11 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from VA median (3 programs)

Analysis

Virginia's sociology programs produce widely varying outcomes, with University of Lynchburg graduates estimated to earn around $38,000 in their first year—roughly matching the state median but trailing UVA's $46,000 by a meaningful margin. The estimated $27,000 in debt sits slightly above both state and national norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 that's manageable but not comfortable. For context, sociology programs nationally generate a median first-year salary of about $34,000, so these Virginia estimates suggest modestly better returns than the typical program elsewhere.

The challenge is that these figures come from peer programs rather than University of Lynchburg's actual graduate outcomes, which aren't publicly available due to small sample sizes. Similar bachelor's programs at Virginia colleges form the basis for these projections, meaning your child's experience could diverge in either direction. The debt estimate particularly warrants scrutiny—while $27,000 represents the median among comparable Virginia schools, individual borrowing varies significantly based on family circumstances and financial aid packages.

If your child is drawn to sociology, examine the actual aid package carefully and consider how debt payments around $300 monthly would fit alongside entry-level social science wages. Programs at larger Virginia universities show slightly stronger earnings trajectories, which may reflect employer preferences or regional job markets worth exploring.

Where University of Lynchburg Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (31 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of LynchburgLynchburg$35,540$37,946*$27,000*
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville$20,986$45,786*$56,011$20,500*0.45
Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland$48,002$39,656*$42,175$27,000*0.68
Roanoke CollegeSalem$36,774$38,983*$27,000*0.69
George Mason UniversityFairfax$13,815$38,916*$47,477$20,514*0.53
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg$15,478$38,768*$47,684$22,859*0.59
National Median$34,102*$25,000*0.73
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Lynchburg, approximately 27% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 11 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.