Sociology at Xavier University

A sociology degree from Xavier carries estimated debt of $27,469—manageable by liberal arts standards, but higher than both Ohio's typical $25,000 and the national median for this major. When peer programs in Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $36,500, you're looking at roughly nine months of pre-tax income to cover the full debt load.

The earnings estimate puts Xavier's sociology graduates slightly above the national median of $34,102, though still trailing Ohio's strongest programs. Miami University and University of Cincinnati sociology graduates start in the low $40,000s, suggesting that comparable programs in the state produce outcomes ranging from solid to quite strong. Xavier's position in this landscape appears middle-of-the-pack—not problematic, but not exceptional either.

The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio is workable, especially for a private university where borrowing typically runs higher. The real question is whether this degree serves as a stepping stone to graduate school or careers requiring additional credentials. If your child is headed to law school, social work, or another graduate program, this debt level leaves reasonable room to borrow more. If they're planning to enter the workforce immediately, that $36,500 starting point means budgeting carefully in those early years. Xavier's small program size (hence the suppressed data) could mean more personalized attention, but you're accepting some uncertainty about whether these state-level estimates reflect their actual graduate outcomes.