Sociology and Anthropology at Denison University

Denison's sociology and anthropology program shows dramatically different value depending on your timeline. That $23,752 first-year salary sits in the 15th percentile nationally—well below the typical $28,378 for these majors—but by year four, earnings more than double to $46,771. The catch? These numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically unreliable. With a $26,500 debt load and a 1.12 debt-to-income ratio at graduation, students face a challenging first year but potentially stronger prospects down the line.

The Ohio context offers little clarity since Denison appears to be the only reporting school for this major in the state. What we know is that highly selective private schools (17% admission rate, 1395 SAT average) often see delayed earnings as graduates pursue advanced degrees or enter fields like nonprofit work and research that start with modest salaries. The 97% earnings growth suggests many graduates eventually move into better-paying positions, though we can't verify this pattern with such limited data.

Given the small sample size, treat these numbers as directional rather than definitive. If your child is considering this path, the first-year earnings should prompt serious conversations about financial runway and whether they can absorb a year or two of low income. The program may work for families with financial cushion, but it's risky for those relying on immediate earning power to manage debt.