Social Sciences at Brescia University

A 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within the federal "manageable debt" threshold of 1.0, but for a social sciences degree where career paths vary dramatically, that benchmark tells only part of the story. Based on peer programs nationally, this bachelor's degree carries an estimated $26,975 in debt against first-year earnings around $37,459—figures that suggest you'd be dedicating roughly three-quarters of a year's salary to loans. That's workable if your child lands in the higher-paying corners of social sciences, but many graduates in this field pursue graduate degrees or nonprofit work where those numbers get tighter quickly.

What compounds the uncertainty here is that we're working entirely from estimates—both the earnings and debt figures come from comparable programs elsewhere, not from Brescia's actual graduates. Similar programs in Kentucky typically produce slightly higher first-year earnings (around $38,659 at Western Kentucky), though the difference is modest. The real question is what specific career path your child has in mind. If they're headed toward social work, education, or community services, those early earnings might be lower; business or research roles could push them higher.

With 43% of Brescia students receiving Pell grants and a selective 35% admission rate, this is a school serving many students who need their degree to deliver financially. Without concrete data on where Brescia's own social sciences graduates end up, you're betting on outcomes from similar programs holding true here—a reasonable assumption, but one worth testing by asking the school directly about job placement rates and alumni trajectories in your child's intended field.