Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 suggests manageable borrowing—based on comparable social sciences programs nationally, graduates would devote roughly nine months of their first year's salary to total debt. At $26,975 in estimated borrowing against $37,459 in typical earnings, this falls within the conventional "safe" threshold where debt shouldn't exceed annual income. However, both figures are derived from peer institutions rather than Dominican's actual graduate outcomes, meaning there's real uncertainty about whether this specific program delivers similar results.
The bigger concern is what that $37,459 earnings estimate represents: social sciences bachelor's degrees nationally cluster tightly around this figure, with little variation between median and stronger programs. This suggests the field itself—not just this school—faces earnings constraints early on. Dominican serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (49%), and for families counting on quick financial returns, social sciences careers often require graduate education or several years of experience before income growth accelerates meaningfully.
Given the lack of actual data from Dominican or comparable Illinois programs, families should directly ask the university for employment outcomes specific to their social sciences graduates. What percentage find jobs in their field? What's the typical salary range? Without these program-specific answers, you're making a significant financial decision based entirely on national patterns that may not reflect this institution's particular strengths or weaknesses in career placement.
Where Dominican 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
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dominican UniversityRiver Forest | $37,844 | $37,459* | — | $26,975* | — |
 Mercer UniversityMacon | $40,890 | $61,612* | — | $47,010* | 0.76 |
 Vanderbilt UniversityNashville | $63,946 | $61,389* | $80,320 | $11,000* | 0.18 |
 University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle | $12,643 | $57,538* | $79,100 | $20,559* | 0.36 |
 Harvard UniversityCambridge | $59,076 | $56,540* | $72,825 | $19,937* | 0.35 |
 Upper Iowa UniversityFayette | $19,000 | $56,221* | $42,471 | $25,805* | 0.46 |
| National Median | — | $37,459* | — | $25,500* | 0.68 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
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 Dominican University, approximately 49% 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.