Sociology at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University

Bloomfield College's sociology graduates start at $33,930—essentially matching both national and state medians—but fall behind their New Jersey peers over time. While first-year earnings land near the 49th percentile nationally, they drop to the 40th percentile within the state, where programs at nearby schools like The College of New Jersey ($46,953) and even Kean University ($36,432) deliver notably stronger outcomes. The 22% earnings growth to $41,377 by year four helps, but doesn't close the gap with in-state alternatives.

The financial picture here is actually more favorable than typical sociology programs. At $30,000, debt sits well below both state and national medians, ranking in just the 5th percentile for debt burden. The 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than their first year's salary—manageable territory for liberal arts degrees. This matters especially given that 69% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the college serves students who likely can't afford higher debt loads.

For families weighing affordability against outcomes, this program represents a middle ground: it won't match the earnings potential of New Jersey's stronger sociology programs, but it delivers a relatively accessible degree without the crushing debt that often accompanies bachelor's programs at schools serving similar student populations. If your child qualifies for similar aid packages at higher-earning NJ schools, explore those first.