Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,279
Est. from national median (33 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

Butler's estimated $27,000 debt load for a social sciences bachelor's degree sits just above the national median of $25,500 for this field, while projected earnings of around $36,300 align with typical outcomes nationwide. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 suggests graduates could reasonably expect to repay their loans within a manageable timeframe—generally considered sustainable for bachelor's degree holders.

What's less clear is how Butler's private university experience translates into career outcomes compared to the state's public options. With only three Indiana schools offering bachelor's programs in social sciences and no peer data available for comparison, it's difficult to assess whether the investment in Butler's higher-priced education delivers meaningful advantages in this field. The school's 86% admission rate and limited Pell grant recipients (14%) suggest a student body that may have other financial resources, but that doesn't answer whether families should prioritize this program over less expensive state alternatives.

If your child is genuinely passionate about social sciences and Butler's campus culture, the estimated debt level isn't alarming. However, push for concrete information about internship networks, graduate school placement, and career services specific to this program—these factors matter more than the Butler name when your first-year earnings barely exceed the debt you'll carry.

Where Butler University 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

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Butler UniversityIndianapolis$45,980$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
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

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.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.

Transportation Planners

Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations.

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 Butler University, approximately 14% 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.