Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,917
Est. from OK median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,000
Est. from national median (131 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 suggests this program positions graduates for manageable loan repayment, though the figures come from comparable sociology programs rather than University of Tulsa's specific outcomes. With estimated first-year earnings of $35,917—matching Oklahoma's state median and slightly above the national benchmark—and projected debt of $26,000, graduates would face monthly payments around $290 on a standard plan, roughly 10% of gross monthly income. That's workable, though it means starting salaries will be tight.

The challenge lies in sociology's broader earnings trajectory. While the estimated starting figure aligns with peer programs statewide, including University of Central Oklahoma's reported $37,727, sociology bachelor's degrees typically don't command strong early-career premiums. The University of Tulsa's selective profile (1325 average SAT) and private school premium in tuition don't translate into materially better employment outcomes for this major compared to public alternatives that might cost less upfront.

For families weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest financial viability but not advantage. If your child is committed to sociology specifically and values Tulsa's smaller class sizes, the debt load appears sustainable. However, if they're open to similar programs at Oklahoma public universities, you'd likely achieve comparable career outcomes with lower borrowing—a consideration worth serious discussion given the lack of program-specific data to demonstrate any earnings premium here.

Where University of Tulsa 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)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of TulsaTulsa$48,602$35,917*$26,000*
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 Tulsa, approximately 26% 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.