Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,871
95th percentile
60th percentile in Nebraska
Median Debt
$26,750
7% above national median

Analysis

University of Nebraska at Omaha's sociology program significantly outperforms national expectations, with graduates earning $40,871 in their first year—roughly 20% above the national median for sociology majors and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. Within Nebraska, it holds the 60th percentile position, meaning it's competitive but not exceptional compared to in-state alternatives. The $26,750 debt load sits just above both state and national medians, resulting in a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio that parents should find reassuring.

The 7% earnings growth over four years is modest, though sociology isn't typically a field with explosive early-career salary jumps. What matters more here is the strong starting point—earning $40,871 straight out of college puts these graduates in a better position than most sociology majors nationwide. For context, UNO's graduates out-earn those from Nebraska's flagship program in Lincoln by about $4,000 annually, suggesting the program has built strong local employer connections or prepares students particularly well for higher-paying applications of their degree.

For Nebraska families, this represents solid value: accessible admissions, reasonable debt, and earnings that eclipse most sociology programs across the country. Your child won't get rich with this degree, but they'll start their career ahead of most peers in their field with manageable loans.

Where University of Nebraska at Omaha Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Nebraska at Omaha 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 Nebraska at Omaha$40,871$43,564+7%
Dartmouth College$64,377$71,802+12%
University of Notre Dame$35,915$71,102+98%
University of Nebraska-Lincoln$36,809$50,722+38%
Doane University$32,351$45,774+41%

Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha$8,370$40,871$43,564$26,7500.65
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln$10,108$36,809$50,722$19,4000.53
Doane UniversityCrete$40,491$32,351$45,774$26,0000.80
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 Nebraska at Omaha, approximately 33% 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 35 graduates with reported earnings and 50 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.