Compare 15 Sociology. programs in New Jersey. Average earnings: $45,595.
With top graduates earning $54,599, Sociology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $9K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The College of New Jersey's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $54,599, well above the $45,595 average across 15 New Jersey programs. Seton Hall follows at $50,726, demonstrating how program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation in this field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Princeton graduates borrow $10,320 and face just a 6.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, William Paterson offers the best value with a 24.7% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $54,599
Strong outcomes with 62% acceptance
6.3% payment burden | Excellent
24.7% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $54,599 | 16 | $23,250 | Good | $30,611 | High | |
| #2 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $50,726 | 9 | $22,750 | Good | $40,003 | High |
| #3 | Drew UniversityPrivate | $50,410 | 11 | $25,288 | Manageable | $30,994 | High |
| #4 | $49,178 | 46 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | High | |
| #5 | Centenary UniversityPrivate | $48,120 | 14 | $23,163 | Manageable | $22,725 | High |
| #6 | $47,757 | 87 | $22,334 | Manageable | $20,000 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $47,610 | 22 | $21,000 | Good | $27,655 | High | |
| #8 | Rider UniversityPrivate | $46,996 | 11 | $26,130 | Manageable | $44,670 | High |
| #9 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | $44,942 | 31 | $10,320 | Excellent | $41,000 | High |
| #10 | Rowan UniversityPublic | $42,472 | 32 | $20,500 | Manageable | $27,445 | High |
| #11 | $42,166 | 56 | $22,000 | Manageable | $24,693 | High | |
| #12 | Kean UniversityPublic | $41,703 | 86 | $23,250 | Manageable | $22,000 | High |
| #13 | Bloomfield CollegePrivate | $41,377 | 55 | $26,746 | Challenging | $17,963 | High |
| #14 | $41,272 | 55 | $18,500 | Manageable | $13,884 | High | |
| #15 | Stockton UniversityPublic | $34,596 | 18 | $20,500 | Challenging | $23,182 | 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
