Best Sociology Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
16
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$217,889
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$13,095
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Santa Rosa Junior College
Grad rate: 32.2% |
CA | -$15,378 | $42,596 | $13,649 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Moorpark College
Grad rate: 40.2% |
CA | -$74,530 | $39,242 | $9,685 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Los Angeles Valley College
Grad rate: 36.0% |
CA | -$128,550 | $37,435 | $18,625 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Cerritos College
Grad rate: 29.1% |
CA | -$146,238 | $35,529 | $8,409 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Oklahoma City Community College
Grad rate: 19.2% |
OK | -$149,865 | $36,679 | $11,439 | $15,235 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Rio Hondo College
Grad rate: 26.0% |
CA | -$194,556 | $34,203 | $19,308 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Oxnard College
Grad rate: 32.4% |
CA | -$210,414 | $32,411 | $9,317 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Ventura College
Grad rate: 40.8% |
CA | -$218,064 | $32,073 | $9,762 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
San Diego Mesa College
Grad rate: 33.8% |
CA | -$230,648 | $31,764 | $12,964 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Carl Albert State College
Grad rate: 42.4% |
OK | -$234,214 | $31,737 | $14,477 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Cypress College
Grad rate: 34.4% |
CA | -$246,464 | $31,252 | $15,752 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Santa Ana College
Grad rate: 29.2% |
CA | -$303,416 | $28,014 | $11,848 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
San Diego City College
Grad rate: 23.9% |
CA | -$310,470 | $27,802 | $13,255 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Crafton Hills College
Grad rate: 35.2% |
CA | -$312,068 | $28,235 | $18,384 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Citrus College
Grad rate: 42.8% |
CA | -$352,384 | $25,622 | $12,412 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
College of the Canyons
Grad rate: 43.4% |
CA | -$358,978 | $25,666 | $10,243 | $8,750 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Sociology Degrees by State
Browse Sociology programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.