Sociology at University of Missouri-Kansas City

UMKC's sociology program graduates earn above both national and Missouri medians, though the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Starting at $36,810 and reaching $44,252 by year four represents solid 20% growth, placing this program in the 71st percentile nationally and 60th within Missouri. Among the state's sociology programs, only Columbia College shows notably higher earnings.

The debt picture is particularly appealing here: $20,799 is roughly $4,000-5,000 less than typical sociology graduates carry in both Missouri and nationally. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, most graduates should manage repayment without serious strain—essentially half a year's salary for a four-year degree. This combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt creates breathing room that many sociology programs don't offer.

The caveat matters, though. Small sample sizes can mean one or two outlier graduates—perhaps someone who went straight into social work management or landed an unusually well-paying research position—skew the numbers upward. If your student is genuinely interested in sociology and plans to stay in the Kansas City area where UMKC has strong regional connections, this looks like a reasonable choice. Just understand you're betting on a program where the data isn't as stable as you'd find at larger schools.