Compare 49 Sociology. programs in California. Average earnings: $47,537.
Sociology programs produce graduates earning between $49,000 and $67,872—a $19K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 49 ranked programs in California, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo leads with graduates earning $67,872, despite its 30% admission rate. UC Berkeley follows at $64,119, while Santa Clara University reaches $62,009. The average across all programs is $47,537, showing how regional publics compete directly with prestigious institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. San Jose State achieves a 13.6% family burden including parent loans, proving that accessible programs can deliver both strong outcomes and manageable debt.
Highest program earnings: $67,872
Strong outcomes ($61,967) with 80% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent
13.6% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $67,872 | 69 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $64,119 | 310 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $62,009 | 30 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | High |
| #4 | $61,967 | 190 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #5 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $61,096 | 55 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #6 | $57,398 | 18 | $25,949 | Good | $23,250 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $57,043 | 62 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $54,677 | 132 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #9 | $54,562 | 787 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $53,785 | 49 | $19,500 | Good | $58,361 | High |
| #11 | $53,446 | 114 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $52,444 | 121 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $51,950 | 235 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Manageable | |
| #14 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $51,065 | 37 | $22,940 | Good | $56,559 | High |
| #15 | $50,786 | 224 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $50,703 | 713 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $50,561 | 275 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #18 | Biola UniversityPrivate | $50,380 | 33 | $23,875 | Good | $50,726 | High |
| #19 | $49,741 | 124 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,033 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $48,998 | 238 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Challenging | |
| #21 | Whittier CollegePrivate | $48,921 | 6 | $24,937 | Manageable | $36,148 | High |
| #22 | $48,835 | 51 | $26,063 | Manageable | $31,387 | High | |
| #23 | $48,434 | 206 | $16,000 | Good | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Occidental CollegePrivate | $48,239 | 15 | $23,000 | Manageable | $51,450 | High |
| #25 | $47,904 | 251 | $16,666 | Good | $28,682 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
