Sociology at Winona State University

Winona State's sociology program punches well above its weight nationally—95th percentile—but that impressive ranking needs context. At $43,505 in first-year earnings, graduates here outpace the typical sociology BA holder by nearly $10,000. However, within Minnesota's competitive landscape, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, trailing schools like Minnesota State Moorhead and Mankato by roughly $1,000-$1,500. The debt burden of $21,687 is lower than both state and national medians, yielding a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn less four years out ($41,763) than they do immediately after graduation. This backward slide of 4% suggests early-career plateaus, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means a few outliers could be skewing the picture considerably.

For Minnesota families, this represents a solid middle-ground option—you're getting above-average sociology outcomes at below-average debt, from a school with a 69% admission rate. Just don't expect dramatic salary growth in those first post-graduation years, and recognize that other state universities might deliver similar or slightly better returns. The value proposition hinges largely on Winona State's lower sticker price and regional employment connections rather than exceptional earning power.