Sociology at Wichita State University

The small sample size here demands caution, but the available data suggests this program lags behind other Kansas options. While Wichita State's sociology graduates earn slightly above the national median at $35,236, they fall short of the state median by nearly $3,000 and sit in just the 40th percentile among Kansas sociology programs. Both Kansas State and the University of Kansas place graduates earning around $43,000—roughly 20% more. The debt load of $30,500 ranks in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of programs carry higher debt), yet it's still within range of what most Kansas schools charge.

What's particularly puzzling is the negative earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn less four years out than they do immediately after graduation. This could reflect career changes, job market conditions, or simply statistical noise from the limited sample. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 is manageable—graduates owe less than one year's salary—but the stagnant income growth means there's little financial cushion developing over time.

If your student is committed to sociology and staying in Kansas, the flagship universities show meaningfully better outcomes. Given the small cohort tracked here, these numbers might not represent typical results, but they don't make a compelling case for choosing this program over alternatives with clearer track records of stronger earnings.