Compare 17 Sociology. programs in Ohio. Average earnings: $40,296.
With top graduates earning $51,861, Sociology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $11K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Capital University's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $51,861, followed closely by University of Dayton at $51,435. The average across Ohio's 17 programs is $40,296, yet these smaller private institutions outperform many larger schools—demonstrating that program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Dayton graduates borrow $23,250 and face just an 11.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Capital UniversityPrivate | $51,861 | 6 | $26,889 | Manageable | $28,132 | High |
| #2 | University Of DaytonPrivate | $51,435 | 17 | $23,250 | Good | $43,810 | High |
| #3 | John Carroll UniversityPrivate | $48,903 | 10 | $26,000 | Manageable | $39,285 | High |
| #4 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $47,382 | 48 | $23,000 | Manageable | $34,512 | High |
| #5 | $45,403 | 87 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | High | |
| #6 | $45,087 | 92 | $21,056 | Manageable | $23,508 | High | |
| #7 | $42,507 | 17 | $21,250 | Manageable | $23,602 | High | |
| #8 | $40,970 | 14 | $23,250 | Manageable | $22,000 | High | |
| #9 | $40,717 | 28 | $25,000 | Challenging | $25,947 | High | |
| #10 | The College Of WoosterPrivate | $38,624 | 14 | $26,500 | Challenging | $42,874 | High |
| #11 | $37,292 | 29 | $21,797 | Challenging | $16,998 | High | |
| #12 | $37,124 | 9 | $22,750 | Challenging | $14,381 | High | |
| #13 | Shawnee State UniversityPublic | $35,818 | 13 | $23,000 | Challenging | $17,366 | High |
| #14 | $33,392 | 43 | $24,500 | High | $21,394 | High | |
| #15 | Walsh UniversityPrivate | $33,387 | 11 | $27,000 | High | $26,359 | High |
| #16 | Oberlin CollegePrivate | $28,236 | 15 | $26,000 | High | $45,976 | High |
| #17 | Wittenberg UniversityPrivate | $26,896 | 15 | $27,000 | High | $34,146 | 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 →
