Sociology associate's degree programs in California
Compare 24 reporting programs using the same federal field and associate's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in California
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Mission CollegeSanta Clara · Debt not reported$64,1742De Anza CollegeCupertino · Debt not reported$62,0813Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa · Debt not reported$57,4504Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill · Debt not reported$56,6835West Valley CollegeSaratoga · Debt not reported$51,8186College of the CanyonsSanta Clarita · $8,750 federal debt$50,5267Chabot CollegeHayward · Debt not reported$48,9328Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento · Debt not reported$48,6819Riverside City CollegeRiverside · $11,500 federal debt$46,73010San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego · Debt not reported$46,618
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA
What related occupations pay in California
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-9199Managers, All Other
- State median wage
- $174,560
- Middle 50% wage range
- $132,000–$221,560
- State employment
- 99,580
- Projected growth
- +4.9%
- Annual openings
- 100,900
25-1067Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $127,680
- Middle 50% wage range
- $96,530–$167,290
- State employment
- 810
- Projected growth
- +2.2%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
19-3041Sociologists
- State median wage
- $125,770
- Middle 50% wage range
- $98,770–$138,710
- State employment
- 590
- Projected growth
- +3.8%
- Annual openings
- 200
25-1069Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
- State median wage
- $132,920
- Middle 50% wage range
- $82,230–$205,150
- State employment
- 2,760
- Projected growth
- +1.6%
- Annual openings
- 1,300
19-4061Social Science Research Assistants
- State median wage
- $60,250
- Middle 50% wage range
- $41,670–$84,990
- State employment
- 5,300
- Projected growth
- +5.0%
- Annual openings
- 4,900
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mission College | Santa Clara | $64,174 | Not available |
| 2 | De Anza College | Cupertino | $62,081 | Not available |
| 3 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa | $57,450 | Not available |
| 4 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill | $56,683 | Not available |
| 5 | West Valley College | Saratoga | $51,818 | Not available |
| 6 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita | $50,526 | $8,750 |
| 7 | Chabot College | Hayward | $48,932 | Not available |
| 8 | Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | $48,681 | Not available |
| 9 | Riverside City College | Riverside | $46,730 | $11,500 |
| 10 | San Diego Mesa College | San Diego | $46,618 | Not available |
| 11 | Modesto Junior College | Modesto | $46,397 | Not available |
| 12 | Bakersfield College | Bakersfield | $45,822 | Not available |
| 13 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana | $45,161 | Not available |
| 14 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento | $42,361 | Not available |
| 15 | Antelope Valley Community College District | Lancaster | $42,230 | $10,062 |
| 16 | Southwestern College | Chula Vista | $42,170 | Not available |
| 17 | Merced College | Merced | $41,486 | Not available |
| 18 | Fresno City College | Fresno | $40,709 | Not available |
| 19 | Pasadena City College | Pasadena | $39,348 | Not available |
| 20 | College of the Sequoias | Visalia | $38,796 | Not available |
| 21 | Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen | $38,299 | Not available |
| 22 | Mt San Antonio College | Walnut | $37,703 | Not available |
| 23 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert | $35,465 | Not available |
| 24 | Glendale Community College | Glendale | $34,788 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Sociology in California
What do Sociology associate's degree graduates earn in California?
Across 24 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $45,161 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $10,062 among the 3 programs reporting federal debt.
Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Mission College has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.