Social Sciences at Keystone College

Keystone's social sciences graduates earn $7,200 less after four years than the typical Pennsylvania graduate in this field—a meaningful gap that places them in just the 25th percentile statewide. While their $27,000 debt load matches Pennsylvania's median and sits comfortably below the national average, the combination of below-average earnings and manageable debt creates what amounts to a longer payoff timeline than competitive programs.

The 14% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests some upward trajectory, though graduates still trail programs like Indiana University of Pennsylvania by nearly $5,000 annually. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 is reasonable, but this calculation relies on a small sample size (under 30 graduates), which means outcomes could vary significantly from year to year. For families, this raises an important question: if earning $40,000 four years out is the goal, why not attend a state system school where graduates typically earn $43,000?

The bottom line: Keystone serves an accessible mission—80% admission rate, strong Pell population—but families should recognize they're accepting below-market returns for this region. If your student has admission offers from larger Pennsylvania public universities with social sciences programs, the earnings data suggests those represent stronger financial value, even accounting for potentially higher debt loads at some institutions.