Compare 537 Sociology. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $49,082. Top programs: $101,536+.
Sociology programs produce graduates earning between $58,517 and $71,802—a $13K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 539 ranked programs, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
Dartmouth's Sociology program leads with graduates earning $71,802, followed closely by Notre Dame at $71,102 and Boston College at $70,722. These results outpace the $42,195 average significantly, but the real story is how elite private programs cluster at the top while maintaining small cohort sizes of just 35-45 students.
High earnings create excellent affordability when debt stays reasonable. UC Berkeley graduates borrow just $13,000 and face only a 4.3% payment burden, earning their 'Excellent' affordability rating. For families including parent loans, San Jose State leads with a manageable 13.6% burden—proof that California publics deliver strong value.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $101,536 | 50 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #2 | William & MaryPublic | $87,655 | 34 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Good |
| #3 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $83,649 | 38 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Good |
| #4 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $81,722 | 31 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Manageable |
| #5 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $81,088 | 16 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $78,857 | 40 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #7 | Barnard CollegePrivate | $77,821 | 25 | $18,000 | Excellent | $65,000 | Challenging |
| #8 | New York UniversityPrivate | $77,650 | 61 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #9 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $75,267 | 25 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Good |
| #10 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $73,200 | 58 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Manageable |
| #11 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $72,217 | 20 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #12 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $71,581 | 64 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Challenging |
| #13 | $71,363 | 283 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $70,555 | 56 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Boston CollegePrivate | $70,121 | 50 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Challenging |
| #16 | $69,883 | 64 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #17 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $69,704 | 41 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Challenging |
| #18 | Northeastern UniversityPrivate | $69,585 | 11 | $24,250 | Excellent | $34,984 | Challenging |
| #19 | $68,538 | 89 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $68,260 | 18 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,611 | Manageable | |
| #21 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $68,053 | 42 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | High |
| #22 | $67,998 | 10 | $21,669 | Excellent | $32,125 | Manageable | |
| #23 | Assumption UniversityPrivate | $67,635 | 14 | $27,000 | Good | $45,926 | Challenging |
| #24 | $67,556 | 22 | $27,000 | Good | $61,178 | High | |
| #25 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | $67,262 | 18 | $26,000 | Excellent | $64,334 | 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 →
