Analysis
A sociology degree from Saint Anselm carries an estimated $26,000 in debt—roughly the national median for this field—while similar programs in New Hampshire suggest first-year earnings around $42,000. That debt burden equals about seven months of gross income, which puts graduates in a manageable position compared to many liberal arts programs. The estimated earnings figure comes from just three New Hampshire sociology programs, including UNH's and Keene State's reported outcomes, and notably sits well above the national median of $34,000 for sociology graduates.
The challenge here is less about the debt load than about growth trajectory. Sociology tends to open doors to a wide range of careers—social services, research, HR, nonprofit management—but many require graduate degrees or years of experience to reach higher earnings. The estimated figures suggest Saint Anselm's outcomes align with New Hampshire's stronger labor market rather than struggling against it, which matters when comparing to the hundreds of sociology programs nationally that post lower first-year numbers.
For families comfortable with a humanities degree as a foundation rather than direct career training, these estimates suggest reasonable financial footing. The debt won't be crushing, and the earnings appear competitive for New Hampshire. Just recognize you're evaluating peer program data rather than Saint Anselm's actual track record for sociology specifically—outcomes could vary based on the college's career services, alumni network, and how effectively students translate the degree into employment.
Where Saint Anselm College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New Hampshire
Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New Hampshire (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,810 | $42,048* | — | $26,000* | — | |
| $65,739 | $64,377* | $71,802 | $19,250* | 0.30 | |
| $19,112 | $42,048* | $50,160 | $27,000* | 0.64 | |
| $14,710 | $36,581* | $45,006 | $26,000* | 0.71 | |
| National Median | — | $34,102* | — | $25,000* | 0.73 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
Loss Prevention Managers
Wind Energy Operations Managers
Wind Energy Development Managers
Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Saint Anselm College, approximately 11% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in NH. Actual outcomes may vary.