Social Sciences at SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury's social sciences program punches above its weight, with graduates earning $40,537 within a year—well above both the state and national medians of around $36,000. More importantly, this isn't a plateau situation: earnings jump to $51,171 by year four, a 26% increase that suggests graduates are finding career traction rather than hitting dead ends. Among New York's 25 social sciences programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, a respectable showing given the school's 85% admission rate and nearly half its students qualifying for Pell grants.

The debt picture requires some attention. At $19,500, graduates borrow less than the state median ($21,366) but still land in the 78th percentile nationally—meaning most comparable programs nationwide carry lighter debt loads. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is manageable; graduates earn roughly double their debt in their first year, which is a workable starting point for most families.

The real story here is trajectory. While graduates from elite programs like CUNY Graduate School start higher, Old Westbury students show meaningful income growth that closes gaps over time. For families weighing access and affordability against outcomes, this program delivers solid middle-class earnings with reasonable debt—particularly valuable for students who might not gain admission to more selective options.