Sociology at McDaniel College

McDaniel's sociology graduates start modestly at $37,728, but the 41% earnings jump to $53,319 by year four stands out in a field where many graduates plateau early. While this program ranks in the 78th percentile nationally, its position within Maryland—60th percentile among 18 programs—reveals stiffer in-state competition. Mount St. Mary's and UMBC graduates earn slightly more out of the gate, though McDaniel's strong growth trajectory could close that gap.

The $25,000 debt load matches both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio that improves significantly as earnings climb. For context, sociology typically generates lower starting salaries than STEM fields, so these numbers represent solid performance within the discipline. The earnings growth pattern suggests graduates either develop marketable skills over time or leverage the liberal arts degree to transition into better-paying roles.

One caveat: the sample size is under 30 graduates, meaning a few outliers could skew these figures substantially. If your child is genuinely interested in sociology and values McDaniel's small-college environment (84% admission rate, 34% Pell recipients), the financial picture looks reasonable—not a bargain compared to cheaper Maryland state schools, but the debt burden won't derail their financial future if they're strategic about their first job.