Social Sciences at Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College's social sciences program starts graduates at just $28,442—well below both Michigan's state median of $32,925 and the national median of $36,279. That places it in the 11th percentile nationally, though it fares better within Michigan at the 40th percentile among the state's five programs. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant careful consideration. The $24,821 in debt is roughly average, translating to a manageable 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio if you can weather that first year.

The saving grace here is the 48% earnings growth to $42,198 by year four, which brings graduates just above the national 75th percentile benchmark. That's a substantial recovery from a weak start. However, you're essentially banking on your child's career trajectory improving dramatically while managing debt payments on entry-level wages. Compare this to Central Michigan's social sciences program, which starts graduates at $37,408—nearly $9,000 more out of the gate.

For a private liberal arts college charging premium tuition, these outcomes don't make a compelling financial case unless your family has specific reasons to value Kalamazoo's educational approach. If you're paying full freight, the numbers simply don't add up. If financial aid brings the cost down significantly and your child is set on this environment, the strong earnings growth suggests the credential does gain value—it just takes time to materialize.