Social Sciences at St. Andrews University

A $27,000 debt load against first-year earnings around $36,000 puts this program in line with what social sciences bachelor's degrees typically deliver nationwide—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 suggests graduates could manage payments within standard budget guidelines. These figures, drawn from similar programs nationally, reflect the broader reality of social sciences degrees rather than St. Andrews' specific track record.

The challenge here is less about the numbers themselves and more about what you can't see. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, St. Andrews serves a population where every dollar of debt matters, yet the small graduate cohort means no one can verify whether outcomes match these national patterns. Social sciences degrees often lead to careers in nonprofits, government, or education—fields where starting salaries don't always climb quickly, making that initial debt burden particularly important to keep manageable.

For families considering this program, the estimated figures suggest reasonable borrowing if they align with national trends, but you're essentially betting that St. Andrews' outcomes mirror those of peer institutions without evidence to confirm it. If your student is drawn to this field, the financial picture appears workable on paper, but you'll want direct conversations with the career services office about actual job placements and whether recent graduates are landing roles that justify even this moderate debt load.