Sociology at Drew University

Drew's sociology program shows a dramatic but troubling pattern: graduates earn just $20,658 in their first year out—landing in the bottom 10% of New Jersey sociology programs and 5th percentile nationally. That's less than half what typical sociology graduates earn in the state ($33,982). While earnings eventually climb to $50,410 by year four, that initial year represents a significant financial vulnerability, especially when carrying $26,750 in debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.29 means graduates owe more than they'll earn in their first year, creating immediate pressure on young adults trying to establish themselves.

The enormous 144% earnings jump suggests many Drew sociology graduates either pursue additional credentials or need time to transition into stable careers. For parents, this means potentially supporting your child longer than expected or watching them struggle through lean early years. Compare this to nearby alternatives: The College of New Jersey's sociology graduates start at $46,953, while even mid-tier state schools like Kean ($36,432) deliver substantially better early outcomes. Given Drew's admission rate and moderate selectivity, families are paying a premium that doesn't translate to employment advantage.

The small sample size here is crucial—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of individual circumstances could skew these numbers significantly. But the combination of bottom-decile placement and weak first-year earnings is hard to ignore. Unless your child has specific Drew connections or plans that justify the rocky start, New Jersey offers stronger sociology programs at better value.