Compare 13 Sociology. programs in Indiana. Average earnings: $42,087.
With top graduates earning $71,102, Sociology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $29K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across Indiana's 13 ranked programs.
The data puts University of Notre Dame first, with Sociology graduates earning $71,102—well above the state average of $42,087. But Ball State University proves the regional public case, delivering $47,535 earnings with 72% acceptance, while Hanover College rounds out the top three at $46,992.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Notre Dame graduates borrow $19,000 and face just a 5.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.27.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $71,102 | 35 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #2 | Ball State UniversityPublic | $47,535 | 38 | $23,250 | Manageable | $20,800 | High |
| #3 | Hanover CollegePrivate | $46,992 | 13 | $25,250 | Manageable | $41,531 | High |
| #4 | $46,266 | 40 | $19,509 | Good | $32,850 | High | |
| #5 | $44,808 | 95 | $19,500 | Manageable | $29,448 | High | |
| #6 | $43,549 | 43 | $21,229 | Manageable | $14,984 | High | |
| #7 | $43,406 | 11 | $20,105 | Manageable | $13,626 | Challenging | |
| #8 | Franklin CollegePrivate | $37,759 | 15 | $27,000 | Challenging | $40,380 | High |
| #9 | $37,208 | 22 | $16,961 | Manageable | $11,210 | High | |
| #10 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | $36,312 | 11 | $27,000 | High | $35,134 | High |
| #11 | $34,763 | 30 | $20,000 | Challenging | $17,205 | High | |
| #12 | $29,685 | 9 | $19,684 | High | $10,909 | High | |
| #13 | $27,749 | 17 | $21,500 | High | $12,362 | 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 →
