Sociology at Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater State's sociology program delivers a textbook case of modest outcomes: graduates earn slightly above the national median but fall short of the typical Massachusetts sociology graduate by nearly $3,000 annually. At $27,000 in debt, the financial burden is manageable—ranking in the 25th percentile nationally means three-quarters of sociology programs leave students with more debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means graduates owe less than a year's salary, which is reasonable territory for a liberal arts degree.

The challenge here is Massachusetts itself. While Bridgewater performs decently on the national stage (62nd percentile), it ranks in just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning most Bay State sociology programs produce better earnings outcomes. This gap matters when considering that many state residents could access similar or better results at comparable institutions. The 9% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests steady if unspectacular career progression, though starting at $35,680 means even modest raises keep graduates well below what private universities in the state deliver.

For families seeking an affordable sociology degree from a state school, Bridgewater hits the mark on cost control. But the in-state comparison reveals this isn't a standout option within Massachusetts—it's a middle-of-the-pack choice where the main advantage is keeping debt reasonable rather than maximizing earning potential.