Sociology at Boston College

Boston College sociology graduates start at $48,000 and reach $71,000 by year four—numbers that place this program in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th within Massachusetts. To put that in perspective, the typical sociology graduate in the U.S. earns just $34,000 in their first year, while BC grads start 41% higher. Even among Massachusetts programs, where the state median is $37,500, BC significantly outperforms most competitors. Only Tufts comes close in first-year outcomes among the state's top programs.

The $19,000 median debt is well below both the national ($25,000) and state ($27,000) figures for sociology majors, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40—meaning graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary. The 47% earnings growth over four years suggests strong career trajectory, likely aided by BC's alumni network and proximity to Boston's nonprofit, education, and research sectors.

For a sociology degree from a selective institution (16% admission rate), this program delivers outcomes that genuinely separate it from peers. While sociology isn't typically seen as a high-earning major, BC's version produces results closer to many business or STEM programs at less selective schools. If your child is drawn to sociology, this is one of the rare programs where following that interest doesn't mean sacrificing financial security.