Sociology at University of Vermont

University of Vermont's sociology program shows a different picture depending on your timeline. Year one is tough—$31,798 puts graduates behind both the national median and Vermont's top program at Saint Michael's. But the real story is what happens next: earnings jump 34% to nearly $43,000 by year four, a growth trajectory that outpaces most sociology programs and suggests graduates are finding their footing in the job market.

The debt load of $23,117 is notably lower than both state and national benchmarks, which matters when early earnings are modest. That 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than a year's starting salary—manageable even during those lean first years. Within Vermont, this program actually ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings despite UVM's 60% admission rate, suggesting solid value compared to more selective options like Middlebury, where sociology grads earn less even four years out.

The moderate sample size warrants some caution, but the pattern is clear: this program requires patience. Parents should plan for their child needing financial support or roommates in those first couple years post-graduation. But if your student is committed to sociology and willing to work through an entry-level period, the combination of reasonable debt and strong earnings growth makes this a defensible choice—especially compared to pricier Vermont alternatives that don't deliver meaningfully better outcomes.