Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,062
95th percentile
60th percentile in New York
Est. Median Debt
$22,248
Est. from NY median (21 programs)

Analysis

Brooklyn College sociology graduates earn significantly more than their peers across the state and nation, with first-year earnings of $41,062 landing them in the 95th percentile nationally—well above the typical $34,102 for sociology bachelor's degrees. This suggests the program, combined with Brooklyn's urban location and employment opportunities, delivers strong early outcomes for graduates.

The estimated debt of $22,248 based on comparable CUNY programs creates a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. This is notably better than both the national median debt of $25,000 and New York's typical $24,407 for sociology degrees. By year four, when earnings reach $48,880, the debt burden becomes even more proportionate. The 19% earnings growth trajectory is steady if not spectacular, though Brooklyn College graduates still trail elite private institutions like Columbia ($58,541) and Barnard ($48,215) while performing competitively among CUNY campuses.

For families considering Brooklyn College, the combination of strong earnings relative to low estimated debt makes this program a solid value proposition. The school serves a predominantly working-class population (56% receive Pell grants) yet produces sociology graduates who outperform most of their peers. While we can't confirm the exact debt for this specific cohort, the earnings data is actual and compelling—your child would enter a workforce where Brooklyn College sociology credentials appear to carry real weight.

Where CUNY Brooklyn College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How CUNY Brooklyn College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
CUNY Brooklyn College$41,062$48,880+19%
Barnard College$48,215$68,952+43%
Columbia University in the City of New York$58,541$66,948+14%
New York University$22,697$61,935+173%
Manhattanville University$31,551$60,202+91%

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (78 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn$7,452$41,062$48,880$22,248*—
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York$69,045$58,541$66,948$31,000*0.53
Colgate UniversityHamilton$67,024$51,788——*—
Barnard CollegeNew York$66,246$48,215$68,952$15,899*0.33
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx$7,410$42,710$47,174$11,247*0.26
CUNY York CollegeJamaica$7,358$40,515$48,131$14,650*0.36
National Median—$34,102—$25,000*0.73
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At CUNY Brooklyn College, approximately 56% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 16 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.