Sociology at New York University

The numbers here tell a puzzling story, though the small sample size means they may not reflect the typical NYU sociology graduate's experience. That first-year earning of $22,697 places this program in the bottom 10% both nationally and among New York sociology programs—a surprising position for graduates from one of the nation's most selective universities. For context, CUNY schools like Lehman and Brooklyn College report first-year earnings nearly double that figure, and they cost considerably less.

The dramatic jump to $61,935 by year four suggests these graduates may be pursuing unpaid internships, graduate school, or public service positions immediately after graduation before transitioning to higher-paying careers. At an elite institution where nearly 20% of students receive Pell grants, this could reflect the economic reality that not all graduates can afford to take low-paying or unpaid positions early in their careers. The relatively modest debt of $18,875 helps—it won't cripple graduates who need immediate income—but it doesn't change the fact that peers at Columbia and Colgate are earning twice as much right out of the gate.

With fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, these figures might represent outliers rather than the norm. Still, parents should recognize that an NYU sociology degree doesn't guarantee the immediate earning power its selectivity might suggest, even if career trajectories eventually improve.