Sociology at University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa sociology graduates are earning $7,000 more than the national median for this major, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally—an impressive outcome for a program at a school with a 94% admission rate. That $41,250 starting salary is notably higher than what graduates from elite Grinnell College are earning in the same field, though it trails Iowa State by about $600.

Within Iowa, this sits solidly in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, suggesting UNI is competitive with peer regional programs while delivering stronger outcomes than most sociology programs nationwide. The $24,594 debt load is actually slightly below both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.6. Graduates should be able to handle loan payments reasonably well on their starting salary, with earnings showing modest but steady growth to $43,465 by year four.

The significant caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could swing wildly from these medians. If your child is committed to sociology and wants the liberal arts experience at an accessible price point, UNI delivers competitive outcomes. Just recognize that sociology generally pays less than many other majors, regardless of where you study it—this program simply does better than most at maximizing what's achievable in this field.