Compare 10 Sociology. programs in Iowa. Average earnings: $42,250.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sociology tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $30,988 to $63,868—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Dubuque's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $63,868, well above the $42,250 average across Iowa programs. Iowa State follows at $50,992, while Grinnell College produces $50,389 despite its 13% admission rate. The data shows program-specific factors drive outcomes more than institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Dubuque graduates borrow $25,750 and face just an 8.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.4, graduates can pay off their entire student debt with less than five months of salary.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of DubuquePrivate | $63,868 | 9 | $25,750 | Good | $21,000 | Manageable |
| #2 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $50,992 | 45 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | High |
| #3 | Grinnell CollegePrivate | $50,389 | 23 | $17,500 | Good | $36,324 | High |
| #4 | University Of IowaPublic | $46,489 | 40 | $22,500 | Manageable | $27,975 | High |
| #5 | $43,465 | 10 | $19,691 | Manageable | $17,670 | High | |
| #6 | Central CollegePrivate | $35,835 | 16 | $26,984 | High | $39,100 | High |
| #7 | William Penn UniversityPrivate | $34,099 | 9 | $22,415 | High | $15,943 | High |
| #8 | Drake UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 11 | $23,000 | High | $26,000 | High |
| #9 | Saint Ambrose UniversityPrivate | $32,382 | 8 | $25,000 | High | $30,948 | High |
| #10 | Coe CollegePrivate | $30,988 | 5 | $27,000 | High | $30,674 | 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 →
