Analysis
A bachelor's in social sciences from Randolph-Macon comes with an estimated debt load of $27,000—slightly above the national median for this field—for earnings that peer programs nationally suggest will land around $36,300 in the first year. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within a manageable range, meaning monthly loan payments would consume roughly 7-8% of gross income under standard repayment, not the crushing burden some humanities graduates face. The admission rate of 83% and modest SAT averages indicate this is an accessible program, though only 20% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting a campus that skews toward families with existing resources.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With too few graduates to generate reliable school-specific data, we're relying entirely on what similar programs produce elsewhere. Social sciences is a broad umbrella—economics majors typically earn far more than sociology graduates, and we don't know where Randolph-Macon's program concentrates or how Virginia's job market treats these degrees. The small program size that triggers data suppression could mean either an intimate learning environment or limited networking and career support infrastructure.
Before committing, demand specifics: What do actual recent graduates do for work? Where do they land jobs? The college should be able to provide anecdotal outcomes even if federal data can't. At this price point, you need confidence that the program leads somewhere concrete.
Where Randolph-Macon College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Social Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,002 | $36,279* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $14,850 | $61,109* | $97,257 | $15,000* | 0.25 | |
| $7,410 | $54,265* | — | $12,500* | 0.23 | |
| $17,239 | $51,753* | $59,341 | $25,000* | 0.48 | |
| $65,168 | $48,243* | $61,389 | —* | — | |
| $11,380 | $45,509* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $36,279* | — | $25,500* | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
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 Randolph-Macon College, approximately 20% 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 33 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.