Social Sciences at The College of Idaho

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 suggests this program sits in reasonable territory—based on comparable social sciences bachelor's programs nationally, graduates typically start around $36,000 while carrying $27,000 in debt. That's about three-quarters of first-year earnings, which means paying it off is challenging but manageable with careful budgeting. The national median for social sciences degrees hovers right at this same earnings level, so there's nothing particularly unusual here.

What makes this harder to evaluate is that we're working entirely from estimates—both the earnings and debt figures come from peer programs rather than actual College of Idaho outcomes. With only two schools offering this major in Idaho, there's limited state-level context to gauge whether this represents good or poor value within the region. The school's 47% admission rate and moderate Pell grant population (24%) suggest it's reasonably selective, but that doesn't tell us much about career outcomes for social sciences graduates specifically.

The practical reality: families considering this program should recognize they're making an investment decision with incomplete information. Similar programs elsewhere produce graduates who can service this debt level, but you won't know how College of Idaho's network, advising, or internship opportunities compare until you dig deeper into their specific track record. Ask the school directly about recent graduate outcomes, job placement rates, and whether their social sciences alumni typically stay in Idaho or relocate to higher-wage markets.