Social Sciences at Dickinson State University

A social sciences bachelor's typically leads to starting earnings around $37,000 nationally, and peer programs suggest Dickinson State follows this pattern. The estimated first-year salary of $37,459 aligns precisely with the national median, while the projected debt of $24,423 comes in slightly below typical borrowing for these programs. That 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary—manageable territory if they secure employment in their field.

The challenge lies in what these estimates can't tell you. With only seven schools offering social sciences degrees in North Dakota, and many suppressing outcome data due to small graduating classes, you're making decisions with limited visibility. The University of North Dakota reports actual earnings of $34,490 for its social sciences graduates, which suggests the statewide market may run slightly cooler than national figures. North Dakota's economy leans heavily toward energy, agriculture, and healthcare—sectors that don't always immediately absorb social sciences graduates.

The numbers suggest a workable investment if your student has clear career plans that leverage the degree. Social sciences can open doors to human services, public administration, or grad school pathways, but the field demands intentionality. Before committing, you'll want direct conversations with Dickinson State about where their recent graduates actually land jobs and what support exists for career placement—information these estimates simply can't provide.