Social Sciences at Mary Baldwin University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable territory for a bachelor's degree, though estimates from peer programs suggest Mary Baldwin's social sciences graduates will need discipline with their finances. At $27,000 in estimated debt against first-year earnings around $36,000, this program appears aligned with what similar bachelor's programs produce nationally. The national median debt for social sciences degrees is actually slightly lower at $25,500, meaning Mary Baldwin students may be taking on incrementally more—though still within reasonable bounds.

The real question is trajectory. Social sciences degrees often serve as foundations for graduate work or pivot points into various career paths, and these estimated first-year earnings reflect entry-level positions that may not capture the full picture. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters here, and that $27,000 debt load—while not alarming—represents real monthly payments that will compete with rent and other post-college expenses.

For parents, this comes down to your child's post-graduation plans. If they're eyeing graduate school, law school, or other credentials, adding this debt to future borrowing requires careful calculation. If they're entering the workforce directly, comparable programs suggest they'll earn enough to manage the debt, but there's little cushion for missteps. The limited data here means you're relying on estimates rather than Mary Baldwin's actual track record—worth acknowledging as you weigh this investment.