Social Sciences at Allen University

Allen University's Social Sciences program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population but faces a stark earnings challenge: graduates earn $23,095 one year out, roughly $14,000 below the national median for this field. That first-year figure sits in just the 5th percentile nationally. The debt burden of $38,198 means graduates owe 1.65 times what they earn initially—a ratio that makes loan repayment extremely difficult on a near-poverty wage. While earnings do climb to $28,416 by year four (a 23% gain), that's still well below what most social sciences graduates earn elsewhere.

The state comparison offers limited comfort. Allen performs near the middle for South Carolina social sciences programs—40th percentile—but that's because South Carolina as a whole lags in this field. The state median of $23,797 is itself 36% below the national benchmark. Being average among weak performers doesn't solve the fundamental math problem: graduating with $38,000 in debt while earning barely above $20,000 creates years of financial strain.

For families without other resources to support their child post-graduation, this program's numbers suggest serious hardship ahead. The 80% Pell grant rate indicates Allen serves students who often can't afford financial setbacks. If your child is passionate about social sciences, the earnings gap between Allen and even nearby alternatives like USC Beaufort (which starts at $32,682) represents nearly $10,000 annually—money that matters enormously when managing loan payments.