Social Sciences at Midland University

A debt load of roughly $27,000 against first-year earnings near $37,500 positions this program right at the national median for social sciences bachelor's degrees. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 suggests manageable repayment—graduates would dedicate about 7% of their gross income to standard 10-year loan payments. What's particularly encouraging here is that the estimated debt sits below what similar programs nationally produce ($25,500 median), though it's notably lower than what other Nebraska social sciences programs typically carry ($34,734 median).

The challenge with social sciences degrees is less about the debt burden and more about the earnings ceiling. At $37,500, these peer programs produce starting salaries that leave little room for error in a budget. The national data shows the 75th percentile only reaches $43,100—meaning even high performers in this field typically don't see dramatic early salary growth. For context, Nebraska's other social sciences programs show virtually identical outcomes, with Bellevue University graduates starting at $37,335.

If your child is committed to social sciences as a pathway to graduate school or a specific career requiring this foundation, the numbers work. But if this is chosen as a general bachelor's degree without clear next steps, the modest earnings trajectory paired with nearly $27,000 in debt creates tight financial margins in those crucial first post-college years.