Sociology at Williams College

A sociology degree from one of America's most selective liberal arts colleges carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—right at the state median—but the earnings picture reveals an unexpected reality. Based on comparable sociology programs across Massachusetts, first-year graduates typically earn around $37,500, which places Williams exactly at the state median despite its 10% admission rate and stellar academic credentials. This stands in stark contrast to peer institutions: Boston College sociology graduates earn $48,000, while Tufts and Brandeis graduates both clear $45,000 in their first year.

The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable initial repayment, but that calculation assumes Williams graduates follow the typical trajectory of other Massachusetts sociology programs. What's harder to reconcile is why Williams—with its highly selective admissions and average SAT of 1527—would produce estimated outcomes identical to the state average when schools with similar prestige show significantly stronger returns. Either Williams sociology graduates pursue distinctly different post-graduation paths (graduate school, public service, geographic choices that prioritize lifestyle over salary), or the small sample size that triggered data suppression masks actual outcomes that could be either better or worse than these peer-based estimates suggest. Without reported data for this specific program, you're essentially betting on Williams' broader reputation rather than demonstrated sociology outcomes.