Social Sciences at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

The first-year earnings of $18,164 should immediately concern you—this puts J Sargeant Reynolds' social sciences program in the bottom 5% nationally and bottom quartile even within Virginia, where similar programs typically start at $23,637. While the 97% jump to $35,739 by year four sounds impressive, it likely reflects graduates moving into unrelated jobs rather than the degree itself opening doors.

The $12,500 debt load is relatively modest compared to what this program could generate—it's actually below both state and national medians. The 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one looks manageable on paper, but that first year salary of roughly $18,000 barely clears $8.75/hour for full-time work. Even students with modest debt will struggle to make loan payments while covering basic living expenses at that income level. Virginia Peninsula and Tidewater Community College graduates earn $7,000-$11,000 more right out of the gate, which matters enormously when you're trying to get financially established.

If your child is genuinely interested in social sciences and planning to transfer to a four-year institution, this associate's degree could work as an affordable stepping stone—but it shouldn't be treated as a terminal credential. As a workforce endpoint, these numbers suggest graduates are taking entry-level jobs that don't require the degree at all. Consider whether a more directly vocational program at Reynolds might deliver better immediate returns.