What can you do with a Sociology degree from California State University, Chico?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from California State University, Chico we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Sociology graduates from California State University, Chico have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 54%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 30% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Sociology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Sociology graduate from California State University, Chico and our analysis:


Relevance score: 65%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Digital Content Director
Nations Media
Dec 2022 - Jun 2023
As a Digital Content Director, the role likely involves the application of sociological concepts and understanding of audience behavior, aligning closely with the skills developed in a Sociology program.

Marketing Assistant
The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
Jul 2023 - Present
The position of Marketing Assistant may utilize some skills related to sociological research and understanding of social behavior, but it is more focused on marketing tasks rather than on directly applying sociological knowledge.

ABOUT

A pioneer of humanitarian projects and co-founded an organization dedicated to social advocacy. I am skilled in writing, intercultural communications, conflict resolution and social justice initiatives. I am an agile and dynamic leader with a broad range of responsibilities.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from California State University, Chico?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Looking at the job paths of people who graduated with a Sociology degree from California State University, Chico, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to how relevant their roles are to the field. The most common jobs people took up include roles in educational programs, nonprofits, and social services. Positions like Program Manager at Girls Inc. or Crisis Outreach Worker at Northern Valley Catholic Social Service really make use of sociological concepts, as they focus on community development, empowerment, and understanding social dynamics. It’s clear that these jobs are closely related to the core ideas behind sociology, such as understanding human behavior and social structures.

However, there are also many individuals who ventured into jobs that don’t directly connect with their sociology education—like working in retail or customer service roles at places like Jamba or Home Depot. While these jobs might involve some basic social skills, they don’t utilize significant sociological knowledge. Overall, it seems that while some graduates find positions that are highly relevant to their degree, a considerable number end up in roles that don’t require deep sociological insights. The takeaway? A Sociology degree provides a strong foundation for understanding complex social issues, but not all job paths reflect that knowledge equally.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sociology graduates (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University, Chico):

What kind of career trajectories do Sociology graduates from California State University, Chico have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of Sociology graduates from California State University, Chico, it seems like there's quite a mix of trajectories. For many of them, their first jobs after graduation often involve roles in education, social services, or program management, which makes sense considering the skills developed in a Sociology program. Several have taken up positions related to community outreach, like working with organizations such as Northern Valley Catholic Social Service or Girls Inc., which directly connect to the principles of understanding and improving social dynamics. Some early roles also suggest that these graduates are willing to explore various fields, from working in customer service to coaching, indicating a diverse range of interests.

Fast forward about five to ten years, and you start to see a clearer picture of career advancement. Many alumni have moved into noteworthy positions where they utilize their Sociology background efficiently. For example, some have stepped up to program management roles and positions of leadership within non-profits, which reflects growth and a sustained connection to their field of study. However, not everyone seems to have benefited equally; some graduates ended up in jobs that might not directly align with their degree, like retail or administrative roles. This suggests that while some find their niche in impactful areas, others may drift away from Sociology into less relevant careers. Overall, it seems like the degree can open doors, but the success really depends on the paths chosen after graduation.

How hard is a Sociology degree from California State University, Chico?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at California State University, Chico, is pretty manageable, especially if you enjoy the subject. Sociology is all about understanding society, cultures, and human behavior, so if you’re interested in those topics, you’ll likely find the coursework engaging rather than overwhelming. The program usually involves a mix of reading, writing, and some research methods, but it’s not typically known to be super tough compared to other majors. If you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, you should do just fine! Overall, it’s a good blend of challenge and interest without being excessively difficult.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 1 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.

Do Sociology graduates from California State University, Chico tend to make good money?

Looking at these Sociology grads from Cal State Chico, it seems like they’re finding their way into a mix of decent jobs, but the pay probably varies quite a bit. The more seasoned grads, like the one who's now a Senior Manager at Girl Scouts, seem to be doing pretty well, and those in management roles at various nonprofits or companies likely have stable incomes. On the other hand, some of the more recent graduates have taken on roles like intern positions or customer service jobs that typically don’t pay as well. So, while a couple of them are definitely on a solid upward path financially, others might still be figuring things out and earning entry-level wages, which isn’t unusual for fresh grads. Overall, it’s a mixed bag!

What buzzwords do Sociology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Sociology (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University, Chico). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Sociology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sociology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sociology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Hunter College 79 12
California State University, Long Beach 76 25
Boston College 76 12
California State University-San Bernardino 75 25
Grand Canyon University 74 17
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 72 12
Montclair State University 71 10
DePaul University 70 11
University of California, Davis 69 14
Illinois State University 69 17
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 69 15
California State University San Marcos 69 16
San Francisco State University 68 16
University of North Florida 68 11
Stony Brook University 68 12
California State University, Fullerton 67 22
University of California, Riverside 67 53
University of West Georgia 67 13
Brigham Young University 65 19
San Diego State University 65 12
University of California, Santa Cruz 65 23
University of Maryland College Park 65 14
University of Central Florida 64 22
University of Wisconsin-Madison 64 13
California State University, Northridge 64 24
UC Irvine 64 15
Colorado College 64 11
University of Colorado Boulder 63 17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 63 16
University of Virginia 63 16
California State University-Northridge 63 16
City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College 63 12
California State University - East Bay 62 17
Norfolk State University 62 10
California State University-Los Angeles 61 12
Texas A&M University 60 37
University of California, Berkeley 60 33
Louisiana State University 60 14
The University of Texas at San Antonio 60 12
The University of Texas at Austin 59 23
University of California, Santa Barbara 58 23
California State University-Dominguez Hills 58 21
University of Florida 57 24
Florida International University 57 10
University of California, Los Angeles 57 48
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 57 10
Sonoma State University 57 16
University of Michigan 56 11
California State University-Sacramento 55 37
North Carolina State University 54 10
California State University-Long Beach 54 14
California State University, Chico 54 13
University of Arizona 53 15
University of Utah 53 14
University of Massachusetts Amherst 53 14
Queens College 53 22
University at Albany, SUNY 53 23
The Ohio State University 52 13
San Jose State University 52 23
Texas Tech University 52 10
Kennesaw State University 52 15
Florida State University 51 22
Georgia State University 51 30
Arizona State University 50 29
University of North Texas 50 22
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 50 11
California State University, Los Angeles 50 17
Indiana University Bloomington 49 11
Florida Atlantic University 49 19
University of Oregon 49 22
Brigham Young University - Idaho 48 11
James Madison University 47 11
University of Oklahoma 47 12
Western Washington University 46 16
UC Santa Barbara 46 40
Christopher Newport University 46 11
University of Washington 45 30
UCLA 43 11
Towson University 42 16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 42 14
Ashford University 41 20
The University of Georgia 39 10