Analysis
Hamline's sociology program shows a significant earnings gap compared to other Minnesota options—ranking in just the 25th percentile statewide despite sitting near the national median. First-year graduates earn $33,894, roughly $6,600 less than the Minnesota median of $40,540 and trailing public universities like Winona State ($43,505) and Minnesota State Moorhead ($42,984) by nearly $10,000. For families weighing in-state private schools against Minnesota's strong public system, that's a substantial starting disadvantage.
The debt load of $27,000 matches the state average and is actually lower than the national benchmark, with a manageable 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings do grow 28% by year four to $43,450, which narrows the gap with other programs somewhat. However, given Hamline's 90% admission rate and the availability of stronger-performing public alternatives at lower tuition costs, families should carefully compare the total four-year investment here.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. If your student is drawn to Hamline specifically for community or campus fit, understand they'll likely need a clear career strategy to match the earnings of peers at Minnesota's public universities—or be prepared for a longer payback period on that degree investment.
Where Hamline University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Hamline University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamline University | $33,894 | $43,450 | +28% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $38,972 | $50,586 | +30% |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | $42,984 | $49,414 | +15% |
| Winona State University | $43,505 | $41,763 | -4% |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | $42,108 | $40,199 | -5% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hamline UniversitySaint Paul | $48,311 | $33,894 | $43,450 | $27,000 | 0.80 |
 Winona State UniversityWinona | $10,498 | $43,505 | $41,763 | $21,687 | 0.50 |
 Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead | $10,336 | $42,984 | $49,414 | $27,000 | 0.63 |
 Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato | $9,490 | $42,108 | $40,199 | $27,000 | 0.64 |
 University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis | $16,488 | $38,972 | $50,586 | $20,377 | 0.52 |
 Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis | $43,942 | $34,543 | — | $27,000 | 0.78 |
| National Median | — | $34,102 | — | $25,000 | 0.73 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
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 Hamline University, approximately 40% 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 26 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.