Sociology at College of the Holy Cross

A Holy Cross sociology degree starts modestly but builds momentum impressively—first-year earnings of $36,583 jump 56% to $57,078 by year four, suggesting graduates successfully transition into career-track positions. That growth trajectory matters more than the initial paycheck, which lands below the Massachusetts median but above the national benchmark. With debt at $26,449, the 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, particularly as earnings accelerate.

The challenge is Massachusetts. Holy Cross ranks at the 40th percentile among Bay State sociology programs, trailing Boston College's $48,091 and even Mount Holyoke's $40,675 by a notable margin. For a highly selective school (21% admission rate, 1354 SAT), these outcomes suggest the institution's strong network and academic reputation don't fully translate into early career advantages for sociology majors compared to peer schools. Nationally, the program performs better—70th percentile—but your child is likely competing in the Massachusetts job market where these state comparisons matter more.

The verdict depends on price. At a private school sticker price approaching $70,000 annually, these numbers become harder to justify unless significant financial aid closes that gap. The strong earnings growth shows graduates find their footing, but starting nearly $1,000 below the state median for sociology means Holy Cross isn't delivering the premium outcomes you'd expect from its selectivity. If your child has compelling reasons to study sociology specifically at Holy Cross, the debt level won't be crushing—but compare the actual net price carefully against state schools and other privates offering better aid packages.