Sociology at Ursuline College

Graduating with roughly $27,500 in debt and first-year earnings around $36,500—based on what similar Ohio sociology programs typically produce—creates a manageable but tight financial picture. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 means about nine months of gross income to cover what students borrow, which falls within conventional affordability guidelines. However, these estimated figures also mean you're looking at monthly loan payments of approximately $300 for a decade, consuming a noticeable slice of an entry-level salary.

The estimated earnings align with Ohio's sociology median, but comparison programs with actual reported data—like Miami University at $43,150 or UC at $42,500—show that some state schools deliver stronger immediate returns. Ursuline's 84% admission rate and significant Pell population suggest an accessible environment, though the debt estimate exceeds both the state and national medians for sociology programs. That additional borrowing matters when starting salaries hover in the mid-thirties.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether Ursuline offers specific advantages—like smaller class sizes, mentorship, or career placement support—that justify potentially higher debt than peer programs. Without confirmed outcomes data for this specific program, you're essentially betting that it performs at least as well as the Ohio average, when evidence from other schools suggests better-funded state universities might provide more financial cushion post-graduation.