Sociology at Skidmore College

Skidmore's sociology graduates leave with remarkably low debt—just $9,200, which puts them in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with more). That's less than half the New York state median of $24,407 for sociology degrees. The starting salary of $35,128, while modest in absolute terms, sits comfortably above both state and national medians, ranking in the 60th percentile among New York's 78 sociology programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates owe roughly three months of their first year's salary—a manageable burden that leaves breathing room for pursuing graduate school, nonprofit work, or other common paths for sociology majors. At a selective liberal arts college where just 14% of students receive Pell grants, this relatively low debt figure suggests either strong institutional aid or families with resources to minimize borrowing.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. Still, for parents weighing a $75,000+ per year private college, Skidmore appears to deliver on its promise to limit debt even if it can't match the elite salaries of Columbia or Colgate graduates. The combination of low borrowing and above-average earnings makes this a relatively low-risk path into a field not known for lucrative starting salaries.