Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,459
Est. from national median (76 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,975
Est. from national median (24 programs)

Analysis

A Social Sciences degree from Benedictine College carries an estimated debt load of $27,000—slightly above the national median for these programs and close to what Kansas schools typically see. With first-year earnings around $37,500 based on comparable bachelor's programs nationwide, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72, which falls within manageable territory. However, it's worth noting that Kansas State's Social Sciences graduates report earning $40,800 in their first year, roughly $3,300 more than what peer programs nationally suggest for Benedictine students.

The gap between Benedictine's estimated outcomes and KSU's reported figures raises questions about whether this program delivers competitive preparation for the Kansas job market. Social Sciences degrees are broad by nature, and employment outcomes depend heavily on how well a program channels students toward specific career paths. At a smaller private college like Benedictine (76% admission rate, limited Pell enrollment), students might benefit from closer faculty relationships, but those advantages need to translate into tangible career positioning to justify near-national-average debt.

For parents weighing this investment, the uncertainty here matters. Without actual graduate outcomes from Benedictine's program, you're relying on broad national patterns that may not reflect this school's specific career support or alumni network strength. The debt level isn't alarming, but getting clarity on how recent graduates actually fared—through direct contact with the program—would be essential before committing.

Where Benedictine College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Social Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Benedictine CollegeAtchison$34,800$37,459*—$26,975*—
Kansas State UniversityManhattan$10,942$40,793*$42,603$27,500*0.67
National Median—$37,459*—$25,500*0.68
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

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:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

$62,970/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

$62,310/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

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.

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 Benedictine College, approximately 16% 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 76 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.