Analysis
Missouri Baptist's estimated debt load of $27,000 sits about $7,000 below what similar social sciences programs typically generate in Missouri, where the median hovers around $34,000. That's a meaningful difference when paired with first-year earnings around $37,500—a figure drawn from national peer programs since this specific program's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to report publicly.
The 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, at least compared to programs where graduates carry debt equivalent to their full first year of income. However, social sciences bachelor's degrees typically lead to careers requiring additional credentialing or graduate work, meaning this $37,500 baseline may represent an entry point rather than a destination salary. The relatively low debt becomes more important in that context—you're potentially looking at funding further education without already being overleveraged.
The uncertainty here matters. We're working with estimates derived from comparable programs nationally and across Missouri, not actual outcomes from Missouri Baptist graduates in this field. Southeast Missouri State, the only in-state program with public data, reports nearly identical earnings but higher debt. That pattern is encouraging but not conclusive. If your child is set on social sciences and values a smaller, faith-based environment, the debt picture appears reasonable—just recognize you're making that choice with limited visibility into this program's specific track record.
Where Missouri Baptist University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri
Social Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (6 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33,122 | $37,459* | — | $26,975* | — | |
| $9,496 | $37,193* | — | $34,390* | 0.92 | |
| National Median | — | $37,459* | — | $25,500* | 0.68 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Sociologists
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Survey Researchers
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Managers, All Other
Regulatory Affairs Managers
Compliance Managers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Missouri Baptist University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 76 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.