Sociology at Barnard College

Barnard's sociology graduates earn nearly double the national average for this major, placing them among the top programs nationwide—though with a sample size under 30, these numbers reflect a small group whose outcomes may not be typical. First-year earnings of $48,215 trail only Columbia and Colgate among New York sociology programs, and they're substantially higher than the $33,500 state median. Combined with debt of just $15,899—far below both the national and state averages of around $25,000—the financial picture looks remarkably strong on paper.

The 43% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates successfully leverage Barnard's network and credentials to advance their careers, whether in nonprofits, research, consulting, or graduate programs that sociology often leads to. The low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means manageable monthly payments relative to income. However, that 8% admission rate means your child needs exceptional academic credentials to get in, and the 15% Pell Grant rate indicates this student body skews affluent, which may partially explain the strong salary outcomes.

The caveat matters here: small sample sizes can produce misleading results when a few graduates land unusually lucrative positions. But if your child is admitted and interested in sociology, Barnard appears to deliver access to opportunities that most sociology programs—even within New York—simply don't match.