Median Earnings (1yr)
$33,566
46th percentile
60th percentile in New York
Median Debt
$24,456
2% below national median

Analysis

SUNY Brockport's sociology program starts modestly but demonstrates impressive momentum. Graduates earn $33,566 in their first year—slightly below the national average but above the New York state median for sociology programs. What's notable is the 28% earnings growth over four years, reaching nearly $43,000, which suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into career-track positions rather than remaining stuck in entry-level roles.

Within New York's competitive landscape of 78 sociology programs, Brockport ranks in the 60th percentile—a respectable showing that puts it firmly in the middle tier. While it can't compete with elite private institutions like Columbia or Barnard, graduates take on less debt ($24,456, slightly below state and national averages) and face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. This means first-year earnings cover about 1.4 times the debt burden, a workable starting point that improves as salaries climb.

For families seeking an affordable SUNY option, this program represents solid value. The debt load is reasonable, the earnings trajectory points upward rather than plateauing, and graduates perform better than average compared to other New York sociology programs. Just understand that sociology isn't a high-earning field overall—even top programs produce modest median salaries—so this degree works best paired with clear career plans or as preparation for graduate school.

Where SUNY Brockport Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all sociology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How SUNY Brockport graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
SUNY Brockport$33,566$42,923+28%
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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
SUNY BrockportBrockport$8,678$33,566$42,923$24,4560.73
Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York$69,045$58,541$66,948$31,0000.53
Colgate UniversityHamilton$67,024$51,788———
Barnard CollegeNew York$66,246$48,215$68,952$15,8990.33
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx$7,410$42,710$47,174$11,2470.26
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn$7,452$41,062$48,880——
National Median—$34,102—$25,0000.73

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with sociology graduates

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

Social Science Research Assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

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 SUNY Brockport, approximately 39% 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 43 graduates with reported earnings and 66 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.