Social Sciences at Morningside University

Morningside's social sciences degree comes with an important caveat: fewer than 30 graduates were tracked, making these numbers less reliable than typical program data. That said, the debt picture here is notably better than most alternatives—$27,000 lands in the 25th percentile nationally, meaning three-quarters of social sciences programs leave students with more debt. Given Iowa's limited options (only three schools report data for this field), this relatively manageable debt load matters.

The earnings of $35,188 sit just below the national median but at the Iowa median, which reflects both the program's positioning and the state's cost of living. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 means graduates owe roughly nine months of their first-year salary—manageable if they're strategic about loan repayment. However, the $35,000 starting point leaves little margin for error, and social sciences degrees typically require additional credentials or strategic career planning to reach higher earning potential.

For Iowa families, this represents a middle-ground option with controlled debt but modest earnings. The real question is whether your student has a clear career path that makes a social sciences degree the right foundation—particularly given the small program size and the field's typical need for either graduate education or targeted career development to improve earning trajectories.