Social Sciences at University of North Texas

UNT's social sciences graduates start nearly $6,000 below the Texas median but see remarkable momentum, with earnings jumping 52% to land above $52,000 by year four. While that initial $34,679 salary trails programs at UT Rio Grande Valley and Houston-Downtown by significant margins, the growth trajectory suggests graduates are finding their footing relatively quickly—though moderate sample sizes mean individual outcomes may vary more than typical.

The $22,625 debt load sits above the 70th percentile nationally, meaning most comparable programs leave students with less to repay. That creates a tighter margin during those crucial early earning years when debt payments bite hardest. Compared to Texas peers who typically graduate with $20,000 in debt while earning $40,000 immediately, UNT graduates face a notably steeper climb out of the gate.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether that eventual earnings acceleration justifies the slower start. The strong four-year numbers indicate UNT graduates aren't permanently disadvantaged, but those first few years managing debt on below-median earnings require careful budgeting. Students with clear career plans that leverage that growth pattern may thrive here; those uncertain about their path might find programs with stronger immediate earnings less financially stressful.