Sociology at Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Johnson & Wales' sociology program comes with an estimated $26,000 in debt—slightly above the national median for the field—to reach earnings projections of roughly $36,700. Based on data from three comparable Rhode Island programs, this puts first-year income just above the national median for sociology graduates, but the debt load means graduates face payments consuming a notable chunk of early earnings.

The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in that uncomfortable middle ground where the debt isn't catastrophic but requires discipline to manage. Similar sociology programs across Rhode Island show a wide range—URI's $42,554 outcomes suggest stronger career services or alumni networks can make a material difference, while other schools cluster near this estimate. What's absent here is clarity on whether Johnson & Wales, traditionally known for culinary and hospitality programs, has built the internship pipelines and employer connections that sociology graduates need to reach the higher end of that spectrum.

For a family weighing this investment, the core question is whether this specific program has demonstrated it can match or exceed these peer-based projections. Without actual outcomes data to confirm graduates are hitting these numbers, you're betting on alignment with state averages rather than proven track record. The debt level is manageable if earnings materialize as estimated, but there's no buffer if they don't.