Analysis
A $50,249 debt load for a Bachelor's in Social Sciences at Huston-Tillotson sits at a concerning threshold. While comparable social sciences programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,000, that debt figure is nearly double the national median of $25,500 for this field—putting graduates in the 95th percentile for debt burden. For a family already stretching to afford college (62% of students here receive Pell grants), this gap matters enormously in the first years after graduation.
The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.39 means graduates would owe about 16 months of gross income, which significantly constrains early financial flexibility. Social sciences degrees often lead to careers in education, nonprofit work, or social services—fields where salary growth can be steady but modest. When similar programs nationally carry half the debt load, the higher borrowing here puts Huston-Tillotson graduates at a distinct disadvantage when building emergency savings or pursuing graduate school.
Given the lack of actual outcomes data for this specific program, families should press the school directly for placement rates and typical career paths before committing. The large debt burden might make sense if it opens doors to strong Austin-area networks or graduate school opportunities, but without evidence of those outcomes, treating this as a $50,000+ bet on a field with modest early earnings requires serious caution.
Where Huston-Tillotson 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 →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,703 | $36,279* | — | $50,249 | — | |
| $14,850 | $61,109* | $97,257 | $15,000 | 0.25 | |
| $7,410 | $54,265* | — | $12,500 | 0.23 | |
| $17,239 | $51,753* | $59,341 | $25,000 | 0.48 | |
| $65,168 | $48,243* | $61,389 | — | — | |
| $11,380 | $45,509* | — | — | — | |
| National Median | — | $36,279* | — | $25,500 | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
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 Huston-Tillotson University, approximately 62% 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.