Compare 10 Sociology. programs in Missouri. Average earnings: $37,008.
With top graduates earning $46,842, Sociology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University of Missouri-Columbia first, with Sociology graduates earning $46,842, well above the $37,008 average across Missouri's 10 programs. University of Missouri-Kansas City follows at $44,252, demonstrating how regional publics compete effectively in this field regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Missouri-Columbia graduates borrow $20,500 and face just an 11.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. When parent loans are included, UMKC leads with a 25.3% family burden, showing the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $46,842
Strong outcomes with 77% acceptance
11.6% payment burden | Good
25.3% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $46,842 | 43 | $20,500 | Good | $32,529 | High | |
| #2 | $44,252 | 25 | $18,750 | Good | $18,462 | High | |
| #3 | $42,301 | 7 | $21,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | High | |
| #4 | $41,287 | 24 | $20,000 | Manageable | $15,027 | High | |
| #5 | Columbia CollegePrivate | $38,279 | 19 | $23,879 | Challenging | $10,000 | High |
| #6 | Truman State UniversityPublic | $37,725 | 15 | $21,000 | Challenging | $14,503 | High |
| #7 | $34,952 | 33 | $21,992 | Challenging | $15,092 | High | |
| #8 | Drury UniversityPrivate | $34,669 | 8 | $20,979 | Challenging | $26,668 | High |
| #9 | $28,268 | 24 | $25,930 | High | $12,500 | High | |
| #10 | $21,508 | 9 | $19,968 | High | $11,334 | 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 →
