Compare 19 Sociology. programs in North Carolina. Average earnings: $37,764.
The highest-earning Sociology program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $33K earnings gap across 19 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Wake Forest University's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $57,671, outpacing the $37,764 state average by $20K. Duke follows at $53,607, while UNC Chapel Hill delivers $51,279—showing that strong programs cluster at the top but reflect program-specific strengths, not just school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Duke graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 5.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Wake Forest students see an 8.4% burden in the 'Good' tier, proving that top programs can deliver manageable debt loads.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $57,671 | 51 | $21,500 | Good | $30,000 | Challenging |
| #2 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $53,607 | 45 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Challenging |
| #3 | $51,279 | 93 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $44,355 | 24 | $19,500 | Manageable | $22,737 | High | |
| #5 | $41,234 | 123 | $21,500 | Manageable | $19,809 | High | |
| #6 | $40,864 | 29 | $21,868 | Manageable | $18,241 | High | |
| #7 | $39,940 | 119 | $22,858 | Challenging | $14,638 | High | |
| #8 | East Carolina UniversityPublic | $39,917 | 52 | $22,750 | Manageable | $19,710 | High |
| #9 | $38,446 | 47 | $20,231 | Manageable | $21,919 | High | |
| #10 | $37,465 | 40 | $22,987 | Challenging | $8,791 | High | |
| #11 | $36,180 | 21 | $20,500 | Challenging | $20,305 | High | |
| #12 | $35,722 | 109 | $25,000 | High | $10,984 | High | |
| #13 | $34,406 | 6 | $25,000 | High | $12,030 | High | |
| #14 | $30,384 | 22 | $27,000 | High | $20,004 | High | |
| #15 | Saint Augustine's UniversityPrivate | $29,685 | 9 | $29,669 | High | $17,000 | High |
| #16 | Meredith CollegePrivate | $28,236 | 16 | $25,000 | High | $44,613 | High |
| #17 | $26,739 | 43 | $20,121 | High | $23,000 | High | |
| #18 | $26,659 | 6 | $21,463 | High | $10,645 | High | |
| #19 | Gardner-Webb UniversityPrivate | $24,730 | 6 | $24,222 | High | $19,524 | 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 →
