Social Sciences at Mount Saint Mary's University

A projected debt load of $27,000 against first-year earnings around $35,000 places this program squarely in the middle for California social sciences degrees. That 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably below the concerning threshold of 1.0, though it's worth noting the debt estimate comes from national data since Mount Saint Mary's hasn't reported specific figures for this program. Meanwhile, the earnings figure—derived from 11 comparable California programs—matches the state median exactly, suggesting neither advantage nor disadvantage compared to peers.

What complicates the picture is that estimated debt of $27,000 runs considerably higher than California's median of $16,500 for similar programs. Several CSU campuses appear to produce stronger outcomes: graduates from Cal State Stanislaus and Sacramento are earning $4,000-$5,000 more annually with likely lower debt burdens at public institutions. For a school serving 55% Pell-eligible students, that debt differential matters significantly when monthly payments begin.

The practical question becomes whether Mount Saint Mary's particular environment—smaller class sizes, specific support services, or location advantages—justifies borrowing potentially $10,000 more than at comparable state schools. If your child has strong offers from CSU campuses with reported outcomes in the $37,000-$39,000 range, those represent clearer value propositions. If Mount Saint Mary's offers compelling reasons beyond the degree itself, budget carefully for that higher debt load on modest starting salaries.