Social Sciences at Ferrum College

At roughly $27,000 in debt for a bachelor's degree, Ferrum's Social Sciences program sits slightly above both the national and Virginia medians—but the estimated first-year earnings of $37,459 lag behind what similar programs across Virginia typically produce. Liberty University's graduates, for instance, earn about $42,000, suggesting that peer institutions in the state deliver stronger early-career outcomes. The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it does mean your child would be carrying nearly nine months of gross income in loans for a credential that appears to underperform the state average by roughly $4,500 annually.

Ferrum's open admission policy and high Pell grant enrollment (47%) reflect its mission to serve students who might not access higher education elsewhere, which is admirable. However, parents should weigh whether this particular program offers enough career preparation to justify the financial investment. Social sciences degrees often require graduate school for specialized careers, which means additional debt on top of these estimates. If your child is committed to this field, understanding Ferrum's specific career services, internship networks, and graduate school placement rates becomes essential—especially when state peers appear to produce better earning potential right out of the gate. Ask directly about employment outcomes and whether alumni in this major are landing jobs that can comfortably service this debt load.