Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,607
Est. from NY median (8 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,786
Est. from NY median (8 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 suggests manageable borrowing, but the context matters. Similar social sciences programs at private institutions in New York produce first-year earnings around $35,600—well below what graduates at NYU or Manhattan University see, yet typical for programs at schools with comparable selectivity. The estimated $26,800 in debt aligns closely with what most NY social sciences majors carry, meaning the financial burden here isn't unusually heavy, just standard for the field.

The challenge is that social sciences degrees broadly—whether from Roberts Wesleyan or its peers—tend to start modestly. At roughly $36,000, these estimated first-year earnings lag behind the national median across all bachelor's degrees (around $44,000). That's not unique to this program; it reflects the reality that social sciences careers often require additional credentials or time to build earning power. The 40% Pell grant population suggests Roberts Wesleyan serves students who may be more debt-sensitive, making that initial earning period particularly important.

Without program-specific outcomes data, you're making an investment decision based on peer performance rather than this school's track record. If your child is committed to social sciences and values Roberts Wesleyan's environment, the estimated debt load won't be crushing. But confirm what career support and internship networks exist—those connections often determine whether graduates land closer to $35,000 or break into the $40,000+ range that top NY programs achieve.

Where Roberts Wesleyan University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Social Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (35 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester$37,504$35,607*$26,786*
New York UniversityNew York$60,438$49,016*$64,549$27,000*0.55
Manhattan UniversityRiverdale$50,850$41,062*$85,294$26,080*0.64
Touro UniversityNew York$21,810$40,111*$38,937$33,937*0.85
Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry$22,106$36,726*$36,556$26,978*0.73
St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn$34,535$34,488*$45,948$24,500*0.71
National Median$37,459*$25,500*0.68
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

$62,970/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

$62,310/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

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 Roberts Wesleyan University, approximately 40% 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 median of 8 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.