Analysis
Suffolk University's sociology program costs notably more than what graduates initially earn, but the earnings trajectory tells a more complete story. First-year graduates make $37,802—just above the Massachusetts median and well above the national average—while carrying $27,000 in debt. That 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face about 9 months of their salary in debt, which is manageable but requires discipline.
What's encouraging is the 38% earnings jump to $52,264 by year four, suggesting graduates find their footing in Boston's competitive job market. Among Massachusetts sociology programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile—not elite territory like Boston College or Tufts, but respectable for a program at a school with an 85% admission rate. The relatively low debt burden (25th percentile nationally) helps, especially since Suffolk doesn't carry the brand premium of nearby competitors.
The practical question: Can you afford those first couple of years in Boston on $38,000? If your child can live at home or has financial support while building their career, this works. If they'll be paying Boston rent solo immediately after graduation, that math gets tight quickly. Suffolk delivers solid outcomes for sociology majors, just not the earnings firepower that justifies Boston's cost of living without some family cushion early on.
Where Suffolk University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Suffolk University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk University | $37,802 | $52,264 | +38% |
| Boston College | $48,091 | $70,722 | +47% |
| College of the Holy Cross | $36,583 | $57,078 | +56% |
| Boston University | $38,457 | $55,876 | +45% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | $31,686 | $53,721 | +70% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Sociology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (42 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Suffolk UniversityBoston | $45,380 | $37,802 | $52,264 | $27,000 | 0.71 |
 Boston CollegeChestnut Hill | $67,680 | $48,091 | $70,722 | $19,000 | 0.40 |
 Tufts UniversityMedford | $67,844 | $47,859 | — | $15,000 | 0.31 |
 Brandeis UniversityWaltham | $64,946 | $45,287 | $50,018 | $27,000 | 0.60 |
 Northeastern UniversityBoston | $63,141 | $41,624 | $49,859 | $27,000 | 0.65 |
 Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley | $64,142 | $40,675 | — | $21,000 | 0.52 |
| 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 Suffolk University, approximately 27% 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 61 graduates with reported earnings and 72 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.