Compare 12 Sociology. programs in Wisconsin. Average earnings: $40,930.
The highest-earning Sociology program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $29K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Wisconsin-Madison's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $52,892, well above the state average of $40,930. Marquette University follows at $46,167, while Saint Norbert College reaches $45,831—proving that program quality varies independently of overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UW-Madison graduates borrow $20,484 and face just a 9.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $52,892
Strong outcomes with 87% acceptance
9.3% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
24.0% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $52,892 | 97 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Marquette UniversityPrivate | $46,167 | 28 | $23,940 | Manageable | $45,500 | High |
| #3 | Saint Norbert CollegePrivate | $45,831 | 19 | $26,731 | Manageable | $37,792 | High |
| #4 | $44,586 | 52 | $22,500 | Manageable | $16,958 | High | |
| #5 | $43,997 | 97 | $21,503 | Manageable | $14,012 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $43,554 | 69 | $23,000 | Manageable | $16,149 | High | |
| #7 | $43,215 | 22 | $23,188 | Manageable | $18,635 | High | |
| #8 | $40,107 | 22 | $20,492 | Manageable | $13,139 | High | |
| #9 | $36,996 | 15 | $20,500 | Challenging | $14,500 | High | |
| #10 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $36,134 | 6 | $26,000 | High | $42,940 | High |
| #11 | $33,649 | 17 | $20,909 | High | $12,452 | High | |
| #12 | Beloit CollegePrivate | $24,035 | 19 | $25,738 | High | $32,004 | 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 →
