Sociology at Gordon College
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
The earnings data here is genuinely alarming: Gordon College sociology graduates earn just $18,487 in their first year—less than half the national median for sociology majors and barely half what the typical Massachusetts sociology graduate makes ($37,540). This lands the program in the bottom 10% both statewide and nationally. At that income level, graduates would struggle to make loan payments on their $27,000 debt, which while close to the national median, represents 1.5 years of earnings. For context, Boston College sociology graduates just two hours away earn nearly three times as much.
The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates in the cohort, these numbers could reflect temporary circumstances or a few outliers rather than a consistent pattern. A couple graduates pursuing unpaid ministry work or gap-year service could skew the entire dataset. However, even accounting for measurement error, there's no scenario where bottom-decile earnings represent a strong return on investment.
If your child is set on Gordon for faith-based education, this data suggests steering toward their stronger programs rather than sociology. The debt load is manageable in theory, but only if paired with earnings that can actually service it—and $18,487 cannot.
Where Gordon College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Gordon College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Gordon College graduates earn $18k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all sociology bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (42 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon College | $18,487 | — | $27,000 | 1.46 |
| Boston College | $48,091 | $70,722 | $19,000 | 0.40 |
| Tufts University | $47,859 | — | $15,000 | 0.31 |
| Brandeis University | $45,287 | $50,018 | $27,000 | 0.60 |
| Northeastern University | $41,624 | $49,859 | $27,000 | 0.65 |
| Mount Holyoke College | $40,675 | — | $21,000 | 0.52 |
| National Median | $34,102 | — | $25,000 | 0.73 |
Other Sociology Programs in Massachusetts
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Massachusetts schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College Chestnut Hill | $67,680 | $48,091 | $19,000 |
| Tufts University Medford | $67,844 | $47,859 | $15,000 |
| Brandeis University Waltham | $64,946 | $45,287 | $27,000 |
| Northeastern University Boston | $63,141 | $41,624 | $27,000 |
| Mount Holyoke College South Hadley | $64,142 | $40,675 | $21,000 |
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 Gordon College, approximately 21% 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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.