Sociology at Bowie State University

Bowie State's sociology program carries higher debt than 95% of sociology programs nationwide, yet delivers earnings that outpace most competitors—a tradeoff that demands careful scrutiny. At $30,835 in typical debt against first-year earnings of $38,893, graduates face a manageable but not insignificant burden that's about $6,000 above the state median for sociology programs.

What makes this worthwhile? The earnings trajectory tells the story. Starting salaries land at the 85th percentile nationally, and by year four, graduates earn $53,090—a 37% jump that suggests strong career progression. Among Maryland's 18 sociology programs, Bowie State ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only a handful of schools including Mount St. Mary's and UMBC. Given that Bowie State serves a predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible student population (44%), these outcomes represent genuine economic mobility.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 means graduates can reasonably expect to manage their loans on their starting salary, especially as earnings climb substantially by year four. While the upfront borrowing is steeper than typical sociology programs, the combination of strong placement and steady wage growth suggests this premium translates into real career value rather than just institutional overhead.