Sociology at Brandeis University

Brandeis sociology graduates earn $45,287 in their first year—a figure that ranks in the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile in Massachusetts. This gap tells you something important: while these graduates vastly outperform sociology majors nationwide, they're squarely in the middle pack within a state full of strong liberal arts colleges. The program trails both Boston College ($48K) and Tufts ($48K), though it beats UMass-Boston by about $5,000.

The debt picture is reasonable at $27,000, matching the state median and sitting below the national average. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, graduates should be able to manage their loans, especially given the steady 10% earnings growth to $50,000 by year four. This trajectory suggests graduates find their footing in fields where sociology degrees hold value—nonprofits, social services, research, or adjacent fields.

The catch: these numbers come from a very small sample (under 30 graduates), so individual outcomes could vary significantly. For families paying Brandeis's selective-university price tag, the question is whether this return justifies the investment compared to more affordable state options. The answer likely depends on whether you value Brandeis's broader network and prestige beyond just the first-year salary number.