Analysis
A private university charging $27,000 in estimated debt for a social sciences degree that appears to yield around $36,000 in first-year earnings—this is the financial equation facing University of Denver students in this program. Based on national peer institutions offering similar bachelor's programs, graduates here likely face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74, meaning they'd carry debt equal to roughly three-quarters of their first year's salary. That's manageable on paper, but only if those earnings estimates hold true for DU graduates specifically.
The challenge is that both the earnings and debt figures here are extrapolated from comparable programs elsewhere, not actual outcomes for Denver's social sciences majors. With an admission rate of 71% and average SAT of 1344, DU sits in a different competitive tier than many schools in the national sample. The institution's private school pricing structure and its location in a high cost-of-living city like Denver could mean actual costs run higher than the $27,000 estimate, while the university's professional networks might push earnings above the $36,000 baseline—or the competitive Denver job market could keep them flat.
The safest read? This program tracks near national norms for social sciences degrees, which rarely command premium starting salaries regardless of where they're earned. Before committing to DU's tuition structure, verify what graduates from *this specific program* are actually earning and borrowing through the school's own outcomes reporting.
Where University of Denver Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Social Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of DenverDenver | $59,340 | $36,279* | — | $27,000* | — |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $61,109* | $97,257 | $15,000* | 0.25 |
 CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York | $7,410 | $54,265* | — | $12,500* | 0.23 |
 Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick | $17,239 | $51,753* | $59,341 | $25,000* | 0.48 |
 Boston UniversityBoston | $65,168 | $48,243* | $61,389 | —* | — |
 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusIndiana | $11,380 | $45,509* | — | —* | — |
| National Median | — | $36,279* | — | $25,500* | 0.70 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Denver, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 33 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.