Social Sciences at Texas College

Texas College serves a predominantly low-income student population, with 85% receiving Pell grants, making the financial equation here particularly critical. Based on national benchmarks for social sciences bachelor's programs, graduates can expect around $36,000 in first-year earnings—right at the national median for this field—with an estimated debt load of $27,000. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, meaning the typical borrower would owe less than their first year's salary.

What's striking is the comparison to Texas's debt picture. While only five schools in Texas report social sciences program data, the state median debt sits at $50,249—nearly double what Texas College students appear to accumulate. If these estimates hold, Texas College's graduates would enter the workforce with significantly less burden than their peers at other Texas institutions, even while earning comparable starting salaries nationally.

For families weighing this decision, the relatively modest debt estimate matters more than the field's middling earnings potential. Social sciences degrees rarely lead to high early salaries anywhere, but avoiding heavy debt loads gives graduates breathing room to pursue graduate school, nonprofit work, or other paths without crushing loan payments. The key question is whether the actual student experience and outcomes match these peer-based projections—something worth investigating directly with the school's career services office.