Sociology at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater's sociology program outperforms most of its competitors on the metrics that matter most—particularly when you compare debt loads. At $26,250, graduates carry manageable debt that represents just 72% of their first-year earnings, well below what many Wisconsin students face. First-year earnings of $36,411 place this program in the 60th percentile statewide and 68th percentile nationally, meaning it beats roughly two-thirds of sociology programs across the country. That's solid positioning for a program at a school with an 83% acceptance rate.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy too. Graduates see their income grow 19% to $43,215 by year four—a meaningful bump that suggests decent career progression. You're looking at relatively balanced outcomes here: better earnings than most sociology programs nationally, debt that's slightly above average but still reasonable, and four-year outcomes that show momentum rather than stagnation. Compare this to UW-Milwaukee's slightly lower first-year earnings or UW-Madison's surprisingly comparable numbers, and Whitewater emerges as a practical choice.

For parents weighing the investment, this program delivers what you'd hope for: sociology graduates who can service their debt from day one and see real income growth within a few years. It won't produce six-figure earners, but it provides solid middle-class entry points without crushing debt—which is exactly what you want from a public university.