Sociology at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth's sociology program produces graduates earning nearly double the national median—$64,377 versus $34,102—with manageable debt of just $19,250. This places graduates in the 95th percentile both nationally and among New Hampshire programs, substantially outperforming UNH ($42,048) and other in-state options. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 means graduates typically owe less than four months of their first-year salary, one of the better positions any liberal arts degree can offer.

The earnings trajectory shows solid 12% growth to $71,802 by year four, suggesting graduates are building real career momentum rather than hitting an early ceiling. While Dartmouth's selectivity (6% admission rate) means getting in is the first hurdle, these numbers demonstrate that sociology majors here aren't settling for low-paying nonprofit work by default—they're landing competitive positions that value both the analytical skills of the major and the signal of a Dartmouth degree.

At under $20,000 in debt, even if your child pursues graduate school or takes a lower-paying public service role initially, they won't be trapped by loan payments. For families who can handle Dartmouth's admission selectivity and net cost, this is one of the few places where studying sociology delivers genuinely strong financial outcomes.