Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,540
Est. from MN median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,344
Est. from MN median (4 programs)

Analysis

In Minnesota, sociology bachelor's programs vary significantly in their outcomes, and UMN-Morris's estimated figures place it squarely in the middle. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates typically earn around $40,540 in their first year—matching the state median and notably above the $34,102 national benchmark. The estimated debt load of $24,344 is actually below both state and national medians, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 that suggests manageable repayment for most graduates.

What makes these estimates particularly relevant is the context: among Minnesota schools with reported data, outcomes cluster in a fairly tight band, with most programs producing first-year earnings between $39,000 and $43,500. UMN-Morris's position within this range, combined with its lower estimated debt, suggests this program likely delivers competitive value compared to peer institutions. The school's 31% Pell grant population also indicates it serves students who may be particularly debt-sensitive.

The practical takeaway: if your student is drawn to sociology and prefers a smaller campus environment, the estimated financial profile here looks reasonable. The debt burden appears light enough that it won't dominate their early career finances, and the earnings potential aligns with state norms. Just recognize these are educated guesses based on similar Minnesota programs—actual outcomes for this specific cohort remain unknown due to small class sizes.

Where University of Minnesota-Morris Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Minnesota-MorrisMorris$14,288$40,540*—$24,344*—
Winona State UniversityWinona$10,498$43,505*$41,763$21,687*0.50
Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead$10,336$42,984*$49,414$27,000*0.63
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato$9,490$42,108*$40,199$27,000*0.64
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis$16,488$38,972*$50,586$20,377*0.52
Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis$43,942$34,543*—$27,000*0.78
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 Minnesota-Morris, approximately 31% 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 6 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.