Analysis
St. John's sociology graduates outpace typical outcomes for this major, but the small sample size means a few successful alumni could be skewing these numbers significantly. With earnings of $38,216 rising to $51,258 by year four, graduates here earn better than 81% of sociology programs nationally—though in New York's competitive market, this performance drops to the 60th percentile statewide.
The $27,000 debt load is actually lower than most sociology programs charge (75th percentile nationally for affordability), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 that's quite manageable for a liberal arts degree. The 34% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are finding their footing professionally, though they still trail elite programs like Columbia ($58,541) by a considerable margin.
The caveat here is crucial: with fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, even a handful of high earners—or low earners—could dramatically shift these medians. If you're considering this program, try to speak with recent alumni directly to get a fuller picture of where graduates actually land. The numbers look decent on paper, but whether they'll hold true for future cohorts is genuinely uncertain given the limited sample.
Where St. John's University-New York Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How St. John's University-New York graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's University-New York | $38,216 | $51,258 | +34% |
| Barnard College | $48,215 | $68,952 | +43% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | $58,541 | $66,948 | +14% |
| New York University | $22,697 | $61,935 | +173% |
| Manhattanville University | $31,551 | $60,202 | +91% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (78 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 St. John's University-New YorkQueens | $50,110 | $38,216 | $51,258 | $27,000 | 0.71 |
 Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York | $69,045 | $58,541 | $66,948 | $31,000 | 0.53 |
 Colgate UniversityHamilton | $67,024 | $51,788 | — | — | — |
 Barnard CollegeNew York | $66,246 | $48,215 | $68,952 | $15,899 | 0.33 |
 CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx | $7,410 | $42,710 | $47,174 | $11,247 | 0.26 |
 CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn | $7,452 | $41,062 | $48,880 | — | — |
| 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 St. John's University-New York, approximately 24% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 16 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.