Social Sciences at St Lawrence University

St. Lawrence's social sciences graduates start at just under $33,000—below both the national and New York medians—but experience one of the program's strongest characteristics: 44% earnings growth by year four. This trajectory pushes four-year earnings to $47,311, well above typical outcomes for social sciences majors. The question is whether that growth pattern justifies starting in the bottom quartile nationally.

The debt picture is actually reasonable. At $27,000, it's close to the national median and sits in the 25th percentile (meaning lower than most programs). The 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio, while not exceptional, is manageable for most graduates. However, that first year will be tight financially—$33,000 doesn't leave much room after loan payments begin, particularly in New York's expensive job market. The program ranks only at the 40th percentile among New York schools, and when SUNY Old Westbury graduates are starting at $40,000+ and CUNY options are consistently higher, the private school premium at St. Lawrence becomes harder to justify purely on financial grounds.

For families comfortable with a slower financial start in exchange for a liberal arts environment, this works. The earnings trajectory suggests graduates eventually find their footing. But if your child needs immediate earning power or you're prioritizing ROI, the SUNY and CUNY systems offer faster payback at lower debt levels.