Social Sciences at Michigan State University

Michigan State's Social Sciences program outearns the typical social sciences graduate nationally by nearly $9,000—landing in the 87th percentile—but within Michigan, it sits squarely in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. For an in-state family, that's a crucial distinction: your student will do well compared to social sciences majors nationwide, but they won't necessarily gain an earnings advantage over graduates from less selective Michigan schools like Grand Valley State, which produces comparable outcomes at likely lower cost for in-state students.

The debt picture here is actually favorable. At $29,198, graduates carry about average debt for Michigan (exactly at the state median) but notably less than the typical social sciences graduate nationwide. Combined with first-year earnings of $46,206, that creates a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio—you'd expect to dedicate roughly two-thirds of one year's salary to debt repayment. Earnings growth to $50,723 by year four suggests decent momentum early in careers.

The value calculation depends heavily on residency status. For Michigan families paying in-state tuition, this is a solid choice that produces above-average outcomes with manageable debt. For out-of-state families facing significantly higher tuition, the premium doesn't clearly justify itself when similar Michigan programs deliver comparable results. The 84% admission rate also means this isn't a particularly selective experience—you're paying for the credential and network more than exclusivity.