Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,917
Est. from OK median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$24,626
Est. from OK median (4 programs)

Analysis

Sociology bachelor's programs in Oklahoma typically produce first-year earnings around $36,000, and this program's estimated outcomes align with that state median. The estimated debt load of roughly $25,000 translates to a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable by most standards, though it means dedicating about 69% of a full year's gross pay to loans. Oklahoma's sociology graduates actually earn slightly more than the national median of $34,000, which provides some reassurance about the state's job market for this degree.

What matters here is context: sociology bachelor's degrees rarely lead to high-paying first jobs regardless of where you study. The top-performing Oklahoma programs show earnings ranging from $33,000 to $38,000—a relatively narrow spread that suggests school prestige matters less than what students do with the degree. Many sociology majors pursue graduate education or pivot into fields like social services, human resources, or market research, where earnings can grow substantially after those first years.

The practical reality is that $36,000 with $25,000 in debt is a tight but workable financial picture if your child has a clear plan for the degree. Without one—or without understanding that sociology often serves as a foundation for further education rather than direct career entry—the return on investment becomes questionable. Make sure there's a concrete answer to "what comes after graduation" before committing.

Where University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (15 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Science and Arts of OklahomaChickasha$9,000$35,917*$24,626*
University of Central OklahomaEdmond$8,522$37,727*$44,557$28,000*0.74
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman$9,595$35,917*$41,962$24,172*0.67
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater$10,234$33,365*$39,574$24,751*0.74
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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma, approximately 47% 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 3 similar programs in OK. Actual outcomes may vary.