Sociology at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Hobart William Smith's sociology graduates earn $20,228 in their first year—less than half what sociology majors typically earn nationally ($34,102) and far below New York's state median of $33,500. This ranks in the bottom 10% of sociology programs both statewide and nationally, a troubling position when even CUNY schools like Lehman and Brooklyn place graduates earning over $40,000. The debt load of $26,500 is slightly above typical, but the real problem is the earnings shortfall, creating a debt-to-income ratio that would make initial loan payments challenging.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data, but they're concerning enough to warrant serious questions. At a selective liberal arts college with a 1296 average SAT and 57% admission rate, you'd expect stronger career outcomes than what amounts to near minimum-wage full-time work. The top-performing sociology programs in New York—Columbia, Colgate, Barnard—produce graduates earning 2.5 to nearly 3 times more, suggesting that institutional reputation and alumni networks matter significantly for this major.

For $26,500 in debt, families should expect their graduate to launch into a clear career path. These numbers suggest that's not happening for most Hobart William Smith sociology majors, at least in their first year. Without evidence of strong earnings growth later, this represents a risky investment compared to both in-state public options and peer institutions.