Social Sciences at Plymouth State University

Is $24,500 in debt justified when comparable social sciences programs produce first-year salaries around $37,500? The challenge here is that both figures are national estimates—Plymouth State's actual outcomes for this small cohort remain unknown. What we do know is that New Hampshire's other social sciences programs typically yield stronger results: Southern New Hampshire University graduates, for instance, earn a median of $42,900 their first year out, about $5,400 more than the national average being used as a proxy here.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 looks manageable on paper—you'd owe roughly eight months' salary, which falls within conventional guidelines. However, if Plymouth State's true outcomes mirror the state median rather than the national one, that could mean $10,000 more in starting earnings. Conversely, if they lag behind the national average, that ratio becomes less comfortable. The uncertainty cuts both ways.

For parents considering this program, the core question is whether you're willing to accept this level of ambiguity. With only six social sciences programs in New Hampshire and limited transparency on Plymouth State's specific track record, you're essentially betting that their outcomes fall somewhere between adequate and competitive. If you need concrete placement data or alumni earnings verification before committing, this program can't provide that reassurance.