Social Sciences at University of North Dakota

With fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers should be treated as directional rather than definitive. That said, University of North Dakota's social sciences graduates start at $34,490—about $3,000 below the national median for this degree. The debt load of $27,431 is close to typical, creating a manageable but unremarkable 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among North Dakota's seven social sciences programs, that primarily reflects how limited the in-state options are rather than exceptional performance.

The real question for an anxious parent is whether this degree justifies its cost when starting salaries hover in the mid-$30,000s. Social sciences degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate programs or specific career paths where the bachelor's alone doesn't command premium wages. If your student has a clear plan—law school, social work licensure, a government position with defined advancement—this becomes more defensible. If they're exploring broadly, the return on investment looks weak compared to other fields.

The small sample size means a single cohort's outcomes could skew these figures significantly. Before committing, ask UND's career services for more detailed placement data across multiple years, particularly in fields relevant to your student's interests. The accessibility (77% admission rate) makes this a viable option, but the earnings data suggests treating it as a launching pad to something more, not a destination degree.