What can you do with a Sociology degree from University of Michigan?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from University of Michigan 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Sociology graduates from University of Michigan have a much lower likelihood (-11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 56%
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, 72% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Sociology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Sociology graduate from University of Michigan and our analysis:


Relevance score: 18%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Tax Accountant
Schrotenboer Tax & Accounting
Jan 2013 - Apr 2019
The position of Tax Accountant does not require knowledge or skills in sociology, as it focuses primarily on financial principles and tax regulations.

Shift Assistant
Amazon Logistics
Dec 2018 - Oct 2019
The role of Shift Assistant at Amazon Logistics does not relate to sociology, as it involves logistical and operational responsibilities rather than sociological principles.

Shift Manager
Amazon Logistics
Nov 2019 - Apr 2020
The Shift Manager position at Amazon Logistics is primarily concerned with operations management and supervision, which are not aligned with the skills or knowledge of sociology.

Manager II
Amazon Logistics
Apr 2020 - Present
As a Manager II at Amazon Logistics, there may be some application of sociology in understanding team dynamics and employee behavior, but the core qualifications for the role focus more on management and logistics rather than sociological expertise.

ABOUT

Experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Logistics & Supply Chain industry. Skilled in Tax Preparation, Data Analysis, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, and Logistics Management. Strong professional with a Bachelor of Arts - BA focused in Sociology from University of Michigan.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from University of Michigan?

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


Looking at the job history of Sociology graduates from the University of Michigan, it’s clear that while some of these positions have a connection to the field, many do not directly utilize the skills or knowledge gained from a sociology degree. A significant number of graduates found themselves in roles like tax accounting, logistics management, or administrative jobs, which are primarily based in finance, operations, and customer service rather than sociological principles. Even when they engaged in roles that involve community or social interaction, like coaching or as a camp counselor, their primary responsibilities often leaned more towards general management or task execution rather than applying sociological theories or practices.

However, there were those who landed jobs more closely related to sociology, especially in education, social work, or community engagement sectors. Positions like Resident Assistant, Clinical Social Work Intern, and various roles in educational outreach demonstrate a direct application of sociological concepts and an understanding of social dynamics. So, while it's a mixed bag overall, many graduates ended up in fields where sociology could inform their work, even if indirectly. It really highlights that a sociology degree may open doors to diverse roles, but not all of them maintain a strong link to the core principles of the field.

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 University of Michigan):

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

So, looking at the career paths of University of Michigan Sociology graduates, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Right after graduating, many of them tend to land in roles that might not seem directly linked to their degree. For instance, some have taken jobs like tax accountants or working in logistics, which are far from the core sociological fields. A good number have also ventured into positions related to education and social services, which align more with sociology principles, but many of these roles are entry-level or part-time internships.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you see a mix of outcomes. Some graduates manage to climb the ladder, moving into managerial roles or even starting their own businesses—like the founder of a consulting firm we saw. Others, however, have drifted into jobs that don't really leverage their sociology education, such as sales consulting or various administrative roles. There are a few who are in meaningful positions related to social work, education, and public policy, but overall, there's a tendency for these grads to take on a diverse range of roles that don’t always reflect their studies. So while some do manage to find impactful careers, many seem to take a winding path that might not fully utilize their sociology background. It's a reminder that a degree offers a lot of flexibility but isn't a guarantee of a specific career trajectory!

How hard is a Sociology degree from University of Michigan?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology can be a pretty mixed bag, even at a school as respected as the University of Michigan. It's not super easy, but it's also not the toughest out there. You'll dive into a lot of interesting concepts about society, culture, and human behavior, which can be pretty engaging if you're into that stuff. The workload usually involves reading, writing papers, and maybe some research projects, so if you enjoy writing and are willing to keep up with the material, it can feel manageable. Just keep in mind that like any degree, it will have its challenges, especially when you hit those upper-level classes where theory gets a bit more complex. Overall, if you stay organized and engage with the content, it’s definitely doable!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.

Do Sociology graduates from University of Michigan tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Sociology graduates from the University of Michigan, it seems like they've taken on a mix of roles, some of which likely pay decently while others are more entry-level or part-time gigs. The graduate who moved up to a Manager II position at Amazon Logistics probably makes a solid salary, and roles in healthcare, real estate, and legal fields often have good earning potential as well, especially as they gain experience. However, many of the other positions, like camp counselor, tutor, or even the various assistant roles, are typically lower-paying. Overall, it looks like some of them have carved out paths to decent earnings, but others might still be working their way up the financial ladder.

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 University of Michigan). 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