Sociology at Stockton University

Stockton's sociology program posts surprisingly weak numbers for a New Jersey school, with graduates earning just $24,814 in their first year—about $10,000 below the state median and placing in only the 25th percentile among Garden State sociology programs. That first-year figure is particularly striking when you consider that nearby public universities like William Paterson and Rutgers produce graduates earning 40-50% more right out of the gate.

The 39% earnings growth to $34,596 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, eventually reaching parity with state and national medians. The $26,000 debt burden is fairly typical, meaning the debt-to-earnings ratio improves significantly as salaries rise. Still, that initial earning period matters: it's when loan payments begin and when financial stress hits hardest for new graduates.

The major caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, so these figures could swing considerably with just a few data points. If your child is set on sociology at Stockton, recognize they'll likely face a challenging first few years financially compared to peers at other New Jersey schools. The College of New Jersey produces sociology graduates earning nearly double in year one, and even that program requires careful financial planning given sociology's generally modest earnings trajectory.