Compare 10 Sociology. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $42,593.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sociology tells a different story. Across 10 programs, earnings range from $26,353 to $58,517—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
At the top, University Of Washington-Seattle Campus produces Sociology graduates earning $58,517. The program's 168-student cohort significantly outperforms the state average of $42,593, while Pacific Lutheran University follows at $50,401 despite an 81% acceptance rate versus UW's selective 43%.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University Of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 5.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25, graduates can clear their loans with about three months of salary.
Highest program earnings: $58,517
Strong outcomes ($50,401) with 81% acceptance
5.6% payment burden | Excellent
16.5% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $58,517 | 168 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $50,401 | 28 | $22,578 | Good | $25,000 | High |
| #3 | $49,664 | 51 | $19,500 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $47,098 | 39 | $24,454 | Manageable | $37,652 | High |
| #5 | $45,075 | 145 | $18,500 | Good | $23,123 | High | |
| #6 | $42,242 | 44 | $19,500 | Manageable | $29,968 | High | |
| #7 | Whitworth UniversityPrivate | $42,177 | 17 | $25,000 | Manageable | $35,875 | High |
| #8 | Whitman CollegePrivate | $33,993 | 23 | $18,437 | Challenging | $36,384 | High |
| #9 | $30,409 | 26 | $19,500 | High | $17,148 | High | |
| #10 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $26,353 | 18 | $24,000 | High | $37,687 | 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 →
