Compare 13 Sociology and Anthropology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $43,378. Top programs: $60,225+.
The highest-earning Sociology and Anthropology program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $34K earnings gap across 13 programs—from $26K to $60K—the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. A Minnesota liberal arts college leads the rankings, not a nationally recognized research university.
St. Olaf College tops the list, with Sociology and Anthropology graduates earning $60,225—well above the $43K field average. College of Staten Island CUNY ranks third at $50,716, a public school outperforming several private colleges. The pattern is clear: program outcomes don't follow the prestige hierarchy. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
College of Staten Island CUNY is the standout on debt burden. Students borrow $14,350 and face a 7.0% payment burden—landing in the 'Excellent' category, meaning loan payments take a minimal share of discretionary income. For families factoring in parent loans, CSI's 15.7% combined burden is 'Manageable'—the strongest family affordability result in this ranking.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $60,225 | 28 | $26,000 | Good | $40,568 | High |
| #2 | Lewis & Clark CollegePrivate | $52,622 | 33 | $19,500 | Good | $33,625 | High |
| #3 | $50,716 | 77 | $14,350 | Excellent | $15,568 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Denison UniversityPrivate | $49,035 | 17 | $26,000 | Manageable | $45,521 | High |
| #5 | University Of Puget SoundPrivate | $48,940 | 16 | $25,000 | Manageable | $52,058 | High |
| #6 | Knox CollegePrivate | $45,120 | 15 | $27,000 | Manageable | $28,730 | High |
| #7 | $43,982 | 6 | $20,332 | Manageable | $21,279 | High | |
| #8 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | $43,321 | 26 | $16,000 | Good | $59,000 | High |
| #9 | $41,619 | 37 | $24,779 | Manageable | $19,136 | High | |
| #10 | $41,529 | 20 | $25,000 | Challenging | $22,757 | High | |
| #11 | Roger Williams UniversityPrivate | $30,771 | 8 | $26,940 | High | $49,892 | High |
| #12 | Centre CollegePrivate | $29,685 | 17 | $27,000 | High | $50,378 | High |
| #13 | $26,353 | 6 | $19,128 | High | $13,450 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
