Social Sciences at Mount Mary University

A $27,000 debt load for first-year earnings around $36,000 sounds manageable on paper—the 0.74 ratio falls within reasonable bounds. But context matters here. Based on national data from similar social sciences programs, this estimated outcome lands at the median nationally while carrying slightly above-median debt. Mount Mary serves a predominantly working-class student body (58% receive Pell grants), meaning many graduates will face this repayment burden without family financial safety nets.

The comparison with University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is instructive: their social sciences graduates earn an estimated $32,860—about $3,400 less annually than peer programs nationally suggest for Mount Mary grads. If Mount Mary's actual outcomes track closer to typical Wisconsin levels rather than the national benchmark used here, the financial picture becomes tighter. Social sciences degrees are broad credentials that often require graduate school or significant career navigation to reach solid earning potential, making that initial salary trajectory particularly important.

For families weighing this investment, the key uncertainty is whether Mount Mary's actual outcomes align with the national peer data used for these estimates or with Wisconsin's lower typical earnings. At the estimated figures, graduates face a manageable but not trivial debt burden. Request the school's own placement data and typical career paths—what specific jobs do their social sciences graduates land, and how many need additional credentials to reach stable employment?