Sociology at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

UNLV's sociology program produces graduates earning less than both the state and national medians—landing in just the 40th percentile among Nevada programs. First-year earnings of $33,553 trail the state median by roughly $1,400, and fall below the national benchmark as well. The University of Nevada-Reno's sociology graduates, by comparison, earn nearly $3,000 more straight out of college.

The debt load of $22,750 sits below the national median but notably above Nevada's typical $19,750, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable but unremarkable at 0.68. Earnings do climb 19% to nearly $40,000 by year four, which provides some optimism, though you're still starting from a lower base than comparable programs. For a school with a 96% admission rate serving many first-generation students (40% receive Pell grants), these outcomes reflect the institution's mission more than the program's quality—but parents should recognize the tradeoff.

If your student is committed to sociology and needs to stay in-state, this is the more affordable of Nevada's two options, with lower debt than Reno. Just understand you're accepting below-average early earnings in exchange for accessibility and a modest debt burden. For families prioritizing immediate post-graduation income, exploring related fields like social work or public administration at UNLV might offer better returns.