Sociology at Roanoke College

Roanoke's sociology graduates are earning more than most programs nationally, but the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. At $38,983, first-year earnings beat the national median by $4,900 and land in the 85th percentile. Within Virginia, though, the picture is more modest: earnings fall right around the state median, trailing UVA by nearly $7,000 and sitting below several larger state schools.

The $27,000 debt load is reasonable and slightly above state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69—manageable territory for liberal arts grads. The real question is whether these earnings hold steady as more students cycle through. Small cohorts can produce outlier results, so a particularly successful graduate or two could be inflating these numbers.

For parents, this comes down to fit and cost. If your child is admitted with substantial merit aid (Roanoke's 80% admission rate suggests room for negotiation), the debt could drop enough to make this compelling. But at sticker price, you're essentially paying private school tuition for earnings that match what Virginia's public universities deliver. Unless the smaller campus environment is worth the premium, the larger in-state options offer similar outcomes with likely lower costs.