Analysis
A $27,000 debt load positions this program right at the state median for social sciences degrees, while comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,000. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would dedicate roughly three-quarters of their first year's salary to debt—manageable but not comfortable, especially given that social sciences careers often require graduate degrees to reach higher earning potential.
What's challenging here is the data limitation itself. When earnings figures must be estimated from national peers rather than actual Agnes Scott outcomes, it signals a very small cohort of social sciences graduates. This could mean the program is small and selective, or it could reflect shifting enrollment. Either way, parents should recognize they're evaluating this investment without clear evidence of what specifically happens to Agnes Scott social sciences graduates.
The relatively high Pell enrollment (36%) and reasonable debt burden suggest the college works to keep costs manageable for middle-income families. But with estimated earnings barely above the national median and no standout programs in Georgia to benchmark against, this represents a standard-yield investment. Before committing, confirm what "social sciences" means here—disciplines like economics typically outperform sociology or anthropology significantly—and ask the college directly about graduate school placement rates and career outcomes for recent cohorts.
Where Agnes Scott College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Social Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Agnes Scott CollegeDecatur | $48,150 | $36,279* | — | $27,000 | — |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $61,109* | $97,257 | $15,000 | 0.25 |
 CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York | $7,410 | $54,265* | — | $12,500 | 0.23 |
 Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick | $17,239 | $51,753* | $59,341 | $25,000 | 0.48 |
 Boston UniversityBoston | $65,168 | $48,243* | $61,389 | — | — |
 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusIndiana | $11,380 | $45,509* | — | — | — |
| National Median | — | $36,279* | — | $25,500 | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
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 Agnes Scott College, approximately 36% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 33 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.