Social Sciences at Simmons College of Kentucky

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable—comparable social sciences programs nationally suggest first-year graduates earn around $36,000 while carrying roughly $27,000 in debt. That's below the one-to-one threshold financial aid advisors often cite as concerning. However, this picture comes entirely from peer institutions since Simmons' graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. With only two schools offering social sciences bachelor's programs in Kentucky, you're working with limited in-state comparison points.

The bigger consideration is what social sciences graduates typically do with this degree. Nationally, the field shows a wide earnings spread—the top quarter of programs produce graduates earning $42,000 or more in their first year, while others cluster at the median. Career trajectory matters enormously here: those heading to graduate school, nonprofits, or government work face a different financial equation than those entering corporate roles. Simmons serves a predominantly working-class student body (43% receive Pell grants), which may indicate strong career services support for first-generation college students, but without program-specific outcomes, you can't verify how their graduates specifically fare.

Given the uncertainty, focus on what Simmons can tell you directly: job placement rates, alumni networks in Louisville, and whether graduates in this major pursue graduate school. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable debt, but you need institutional data to understand if this particular program delivers value.