Compare 146 Sociology. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $45,329.
With top graduates earning $71,802, Sociology stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $26K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Dartmouth's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $71,802, followed closely by Boston College at $70,722. The average across all 146 Northeast programs is $45,329, yet these top performers demonstrate that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than general institutional reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Dartmouth graduates borrow $17,500 and face just a 4.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, though family debt tells a different story at 19.1%.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $71,802 | 35 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Challenging |
| #2 | Boston CollegePrivate | $70,722 | 45 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Challenging |
| #3 | Barnard CollegePrivate | $68,952 | 27 | $18,000 | Excellent | $65,000 | High |
| #4 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $68,680 | 11 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Challenging |
| #5 | $66,948 | 51 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | $62,896 | 16 | $26,000 | Good | $64,334 | High |
| #7 | New York UniversityPrivate | $61,935 | 53 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | High |
| #8 | Manhattanville CollegePrivate | $60,202 | 19 | $25,000 | Good | $35,904 | Challenging |
| #9 | Providence CollegePrivate | $58,988 | 23 | $27,000 | Good | $46,300 | High |
| #10 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $57,799 | 46 | $24,300 | Good | $37,095 | High |
| #11 | College Of The Holy CrossPrivate | $57,078 | 31 | $27,000 | Good | $39,032 | High |
| #12 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $56,641 | 56 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Challenging |
| #13 | Boston UniversityPrivate | $55,876 | 47 | $23,250 | Good | $39,000 | High |
| #14 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $55,693 | 41 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Challenging |
| #15 | $54,897 | 25 | $19,000 | Good | $51,114 | High | |
| #16 | Connecticut CollegePrivate | $54,667 | 29 | $23,500 | Good | $44,488 | High |
| #17 | $54,599 | 16 | $23,250 | Good | $30,611 | High | |
| #18 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | $54,448 | 21 | $27,000 | Good | $62,750 | High |
| #19 | $53,721 | 110 | $22,763 | Good | $26,243 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $53,597 | 29 | $24,218 | Good | $25,252 | Challenging | |
| #21 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $52,918 | 53 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #22 | Hofstra UniversityPrivate | $52,894 | 22 | $23,621 | Good | $56,149 | High |
| #23 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $52,572 | 217 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Manageable |
| #24 | Curry CollegePrivate | $52,507 | 11 | $25,000 | Good | $51,615 | High |
| #25 | Middlebury CollegePrivate | $52,425 | 30 | $13,857 | Excellent | $27,380 | Challenging |
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 →
