Social Sciences at Dordt University

A $27,000 debt load against first-year earnings of $36,279 places this program squarely in line with what social sciences majors nationwide typically face—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 means graduates would carry debt worth about nine months of their first-year salary. Since these figures are estimated from comparable bachelor's programs nationally rather than Dordt's actual outcomes, you're essentially looking at what social sciences degrees generally produce, not what this specific program has delivered.

The earnings estimate matches the national median exactly, which tells you little about Dordt's particular strengths or weaknesses in preparing social sciences graduates. Morningside University, the only Iowa program with reported data, shows first-year earnings of $35,188—nearly identical to the state median. This suggests the estimates for Dordt are realistic for Iowa's market, though rural Sioux Center's location and Dordt's distinctive Christian Reformed mission could shape employment patterns differently than a more typical liberal arts college.

For parents, the uncertainty here cuts both ways. The debt burden is manageable if earnings hold steady, but you're investing based on peer program performance, not proven outcomes from this school. If your student is drawn to Dordt's religious environment and community, the financial picture doesn't rule it out—but confirm what recent graduates actually do after completing this degree, since the data suppression means too few students were in the sample to publish verified results.