Sociology, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Sociology, Other.: The DTI for this program is 76.8%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Sociology, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $31413) to the average debt ($24121) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Sociology, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 76.8%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Sociology, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($31413) against the typical student debt ($24121), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Sociology, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $31413, with grads carrying about $24121 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.77—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 33194 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Sociology, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Sociology, Other (CIP 45.1199) is a flexible and interdisciplinary social science field focused on understanding how societies function, how social groups shape behavior, and how institutions influence inequality, identity, and opportunity. This classification is used for sociology programs that do not fit neatly into traditional tracks such as general sociology, social stratification, or demographic studies. Instead, it allows institutions to offer customized, applied, or emerging sociology programs that reflect evolving social realities.
For a degree search site, Sociology, Other represents insight, relevance, and adaptability. Every major issue shaping modern life—race and class inequality, family change, education systems, crime, technology, health, work, and globalization—has a social dimension. This degree appeals to students who want a big-picture, evidence-based understanding of how social forces shape individual lives and collective outcomes without being locked into a single specialization early on.
What Is a Sociology, Other Degree?
A Sociology, Other degree is an academic program that studies social behavior, institutions, and structures using interdisciplinary and flexible approaches. Programs under this classification often blend core sociological theory and methods with applied or thematic areas that extend beyond standard sociology curricula.
Depending on the institution, this degree may:
- Integrate sociology with public policy, health, education, or justice studies
- Emphasize applied or community-focused sociology
- Focus on emerging social issues or interdisciplinary themes
- Allow customized concentrations or tracks
- Support preparation for diverse careers or graduate study
Rather than training for a single occupation, this degree emphasizes:
- Understanding patterns of social interaction
- Analyzing institutions such as family, education, work, and media
- Examining inequality, power, and social change
- Using data and theory to explain social outcomes
- Applying sociological insight to real-world problems
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Provide flexible sociology pathways
- Support interdisciplinary and applied social science learning
- Prepare students for a wide range of careers
- Reflect evolving social challenges and research interests
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how societies are structured and how social forces influence behavior, opportunity, and outcomes. You’ll study how norms, values, institutions, and power dynamics shape everyday life, from personal relationships to global systems.
The curriculum emphasizes analysis over memorization. Students learn to ask sociological questions, evaluate evidence, and understand how individual experiences are connected to larger social patterns. This perspective—often called “the sociological imagination”—is central to the discipline.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Social analysis and critical thinking—understanding patterns and systems
- Research methods—surveys, interviews, and data analysis
- Quantitative and qualitative reasoning—interpreting social data
- Analytical writing and communication—clear explanation of complex ideas
- Cultural and social awareness—understanding diverse experiences
- Problem definition and evaluation—framing social issues accurately
- Ethical reasoning—considering social responsibility and impact
- Interdisciplinary thinking—connecting sociology to policy and practice
These skills are highly transferable and valued in people-centered and analytical careers.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution, but may include:
- Social Theory: classical and contemporary perspectives
- Social Inequality and Stratification: class, race, and gender
- Sociology of Education, Health, or Work: institutional analysis
- Family and Life Course Studies: relationships and transitions
- Crime, Deviance, and Social Control: norms and enforcement
- Urban, Rural, or Community Sociology: place-based analysis
- Technology, Media, and Society: digital social change
- Globalization and Social Change: transnational dynamics
- Social Research Methods: applied sociological inquiry
- Capstone or Applied Sociology Project: integrative analysis
Programs often allow students to tailor coursework around applied or thematic interests.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Sociology, Other degree prepares students for entry-level roles across many sectors and provides a strong foundation for graduate or professional education. Career outcomes depend on applied skills, internships, and further training.
Common career paths include:
- Research or Data Assistant: social or market research
- Community or Program Coordinator: nonprofit or public service roles
- Human Resources or People Operations Specialist: workplace analysis
- Policy or Program Analyst: government or advocacy organizations
- Social Services or Outreach Worker: community engagement
- Market or User Research Assistant: consumer and UX research
- Communications or Public Affairs Roles: messaging and analysis
- Graduate School Path: sociology, social work, law, or public policy
Sociology graduates are valued for understanding people within systems.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations that rely on social insight and analysis:
- Government and public agencies
- Nonprofit and community organizations
- Healthcare, education, and social service systems
- Business, HR, and consulting firms
- Market research and analytics organizations
- Media, communications, and advocacy groups
- Universities and research institutions
Sociological insight helps organizations design fairer, more effective systems.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary widely by role, sector, and education level.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level sociology-related roles: often $38,000–$55,000
- Research, policy, or coordination roles: commonly $50,000–$75,000
- Senior analysts, managers, or specialists: can reach $80,000–$110,000+
Graduate education and specialized skills often increase earning potential.
Is This Degree Hard?
Sociology, Other is considered moderately challenging academically. While it is not heavily math-based, it requires strong reading, writing, abstract thinking, and data interpretation skills. Students must be comfortable engaging with complex social issues and multiple perspectives.
The challenge lies in connecting individual experiences to larger social structures without oversimplification.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are curious about how society shapes behavior and opportunity
- Enjoy reading, writing, and discussion
- Want flexible career options across sectors
- Like analyzing social problems and systems
- Are considering graduate or professional school
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a sociology program:
- Take sociology, history, psychology, and social science courses
- Develop strong writing, reading, and critical thinking skills
- Learn basic statistics and data interpretation
- Follow current social issues and debates
- Participate in community service, debate, or research activities
Sociology, Other (CIP 45.1199) is a powerful and adaptable degree for students who want to understand the social forces shaping everyday life. It builds analytical depth, cultural awareness, and research skills that apply across public service, business, policy, and nonprofit sectors. For those drawn to big questions about inequality, institutions, and social change, this degree offers both intellectual flexibility and long-term relevance.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor