Sociology at Colby-Sawyer College

Four years out, this program's graduates earn $42,158—a figure that holds steady from the estimated first-year mark of $42,048. That stagnation is worth noting: while the estimated $26,000 debt load creates a manageable 0.62 ratio initially, sociology programs typically rely on career progression to justify their investment, and flat earnings through year four suggest limited momentum. New Hampshire's sociology programs cluster around this $42,000 range (except Dartmouth's outlier at $64,377), so Colby-Sawyer appears typical for the state, though these estimates are based on comparable programs rather than this school's specific outcomes.

The national picture offers some reassurance: at an estimated $42,000, this program sits well above the national median of $34,102 for sociology bachelor's degrees, and the debt estimate aligns closely with the national median of $25,000. However, with 90% of applicants admitted and only 23% receiving Pell grants, the school serves a relatively affluent student body that might weather modest earnings better than families stretching to afford the degree. The real concern isn't the debt—it's modest and manageable—but rather whether $42,000 represents a ceiling or a foundation for future growth.

If your child is passionate about sociology and has career plans that leverage the degree strategically (graduate school, nonprofit leadership, research roles), the numbers work. If they're uncertain about next steps, four years of flat earnings should prompt serious conversation about how this credential translates to career advancement.