Compare 100 Sociology. programs in the West. Average earnings: $44,087.
Sociology programs produce graduates earning between $50,561 and $67,872—a $17K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 100 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $67,872, while the average across all programs is $44,087. UC Berkeley follows at $64,119, proving that public programs dominate this field. Santa Clara University rounds out the top three at $62,009, but with vastly different value propositions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UC Berkeley graduates borrow just $13,000 and face a 4.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, San Jose State leads with a 13.6% family burden, showing that the best choice depends on who's paying the bills.
Highest program earnings: $67,872
Strong outcomes ($61,967) with 80% acceptance
4.3% payment burden | Excellent
13.6% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $67,872 | 69 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $64,119 | 310 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $62,009 | 30 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | High |
| #4 | $61,967 | 190 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #5 | University Of San FranciscoPrivate | $61,096 | 55 | $23,000 | Good | $44,413 | High |
| #6 | $58,517 | 168 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $57,398 | 18 | $25,949 | Good | $23,250 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $57,043 | 62 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $54,677 | 132 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #10 | $54,562 | 787 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $53,785 | 49 | $19,500 | Good | $58,361 | High |
| #12 | $53,446 | 114 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $52,565 | 16 | $21,500 | Good | $13,743 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $52,444 | 121 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $51,950 | 235 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $51,246 | 189 | $19,500 | Good | $46,340 | High | |
| #17 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $51,065 | 37 | $22,940 | Good | $56,559 | High |
| #18 | $50,786 | 224 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $50,703 | 713 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $50,561 | 275 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Challenging | |
| #21 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $50,401 | 28 | $22,578 | Good | $25,000 | High |
| #22 | Biola UniversityPrivate | $50,380 | 33 | $23,875 | Good | $50,726 | High |
| #23 | $49,842 | 141 | $20,000 | Good | $36,000 | High | |
| #24 | $49,741 | 124 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,033 | Challenging | |
| #25 | $49,664 | 51 | $19,500 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging |
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 →
