Sociology at Frostburg State University

Frostburg State's sociology program starts slow but demonstrates remarkable momentum—graduates earning just $32,165 in year one see their incomes jump 61% to nearly $52,000 by year four. That's the kind of earnings trajectory that suggests graduates are landing positions with real advancement potential, even if the entry point is modest.

The initial earnings lag behind both Maryland's median ($34,150) and the national average ($34,102), placing this program around the 40th percentile statewide. Top Maryland programs like Mount St. Mary's and UMBC start graduates $7,000-8,000 higher. However, the modest $27,000 debt load—matching the state median and sitting in the 25th percentile nationally—means manageable monthly payments during those early years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 is reasonable for a liberal arts degree.

The critical question is whether your child can weather that first year or two of below-average earnings while building the experience that unlocks better opportunities. The four-year data suggests many graduates successfully make that transition, but families should have a clear plan for supporting those early career years. If your child needs immediate post-graduation earning power, Frostburg's sociology program may not deliver it—but if they can invest in building their career over time, the growth pattern is genuinely promising.