Sociology at Mount Saint Mary's University

Mount Saint Mary's delivers unusually strong outcomes for sociology majors, with first-year earnings of $40,451 landing in the 94th percentile nationally—well above the typical $34,102. The real story, though, is the trajectory: earnings jump 42% to $57,398 by year four, suggesting graduates are finding professional roles rather than getting stuck in entry-level positions. While Mount Saint Mary's ranks at the 60th percentile among California programs, that context is somewhat misleading—many California sociology graduates attend heavily subsidized public universities with lower debt loads. The more relevant comparison is value delivered, where this program excels.

The debt picture is exceptionally favorable. At $29,250, graduates owe more than California's state median of $16,500 (driven by cheaper public options), but the 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means they can realistically pay this down. Nationally, this debt level sits in the 9th percentile—meaning 91% of programs leave students with more debt. Given that over half of Mount Saint Mary's students receive Pell grants, these outcomes suggest the school is successfully launching first-generation and lower-income students into upwardly mobile careers.

For families worried about sociology's earning potential, this program offers reassurance. The combination of strong initial placement, meaningful earnings growth, and manageable debt makes this a solid investment—particularly for students who need the support structure of a smaller, mission-driven university.