Social Sciences at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

The debt picture here looks remarkably favorable—$8,900 is far below the $25,500 national median for social sciences degrees and ranks this program in the 95th percentile nationally. For a school where 65% of students receive Pell grants, graduating with less than $9,000 in debt represents genuine accessibility. But there's an earnings puzzle that demands attention.

While initial earnings estimates based on peer programs suggest around $37,400—in line with national social sciences benchmarks—the reported four-year earnings of $21,210 tell a different story. This drop could reflect several realities specific to Puerto Rico's economy: lower wage scales compared to the mainland, a challenging job market for social sciences graduates, or migration patterns where higher earners leave the island. The disconnect between estimated first-year and actual later-year earnings isn't typical and suggests the local economic context matters significantly here.

For parents, the low debt burden means this degree won't trap your child financially, which is meaningful. But the four-year earnings figure suggests limited immediate economic payoff in Puerto Rico's market. If your child plans to build a career on the island, understand they'll likely need graduate education or strategic career pivoting to substantially improve earnings. If they might relocate to the mainland, the economics could shift considerably—but that's a different calculation entirely.