Social Sciences at University of Rochester

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing significantly with just a few more data points. That said, Rochester's social sciences graduates start at nearly identical earnings to New York's median ($37,491 vs. $35,772) while carrying the exact same debt load of $21,366, putting them in the middle of the pack for the state.

What stands out is the 63% earnings growth by year four, climbing to $61,172—well above both state and national medians. This suggests the program's value compounds over time, though whether that reflects Rochester's selective environment (1480 average SAT, 36% admission rate) or genuine program quality is hard to separate. Among New York social sciences programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for early earnings but trails specialized institutions like CUNY's Graduate School significantly.

The debt picture is reasonable: borrowing roughly $21,000 to earn $37,000 initially gives you breathing room, and by year four you're earning nearly three times your debt. For a family considering Rochester's full sticker price, these outcomes justify the investment only if need-based aid brings costs down substantially—the program works financially, but probably not at premium pricing. The real risk is that small sample: these figures could look quite different with a larger graduate cohort.