Sociology at Salem State University

Salem State's sociology graduates start at $39,822—nearly $6,000 above the national median and outperforming 90% of sociology programs nationwide. That's an impressive outcome for a school with a 96% admission rate and modest SAT scores. Within Massachusetts, where competition is fierce from elite liberal arts colleges, this places around the 60th percentile—respectable territory when you're competing against schools like Boston College and Brandeis that charge substantially more in tuition.

The debt picture strengthens the value case: at $30,690, graduates carry only slightly more than the state median ($27,000) but far less than comparable programs at private institutions. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77, most graduates should manage repayment within their first decade. The 14% earnings growth by year four suggests decent career progression rather than stagnation.

The significant caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift considerably with next year's data. But the current snapshot shows Salem State punching well above its weight class for sociology. For families seeking an affordable Massachusetts degree that produces competitive early-career outcomes, this represents solid value, particularly compared to the debt burden you'd assume at private alternatives. Just understand you're looking at preliminary data that may not fully represent the typical graduate experience.