Sociology at Youngstown State University

Similar sociology programs in Ohio typically produce first-year earnings around $36,500, which would put Youngstown State roughly in line with peer institutions across the state. That's modestly above the national median for sociology degrees, though it trails the state's top performers like Miami and Cincinnati by several thousand dollars. The estimated debt load of $25,000 matches both state and national medians for the field.

The 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment if these estimates hold true, with annual loan payments consuming roughly 7-8% of gross income under standard plans. However, sociology degrees across the board start with relatively modest earnings—$36,500 translates to about $18 per hour—which means every dollar of debt matters more. The lack of reported graduate outcomes here makes it impossible to know whether Youngstown State's specific program outperforms or underperforms these state averages, particularly given that Ohio sociology programs show significant variation (from the low $30Ks to over $43,000).

For families concerned about return on investment, this comes down to what your child plans to do with the degree. If they're headed toward graduate school or fields requiring a bachelor's as a credential (not specifically sociology training), the competitive debt level offers some cushion. If they're expecting the sociology degree itself to open doors to immediate career opportunities, the modest earnings trajectory typical of this field deserves serious consideration before committing.