Social Sciences at University of Virginia's College at Wise

Peer programs suggest first-year earnings around $37,500 with debt near $24,400—numbers that fall short of what social sciences graduates typically earn elsewhere in Virginia. Liberty University reports outcomes above $42,000 for its social sciences program, and the Virginia median sits at that same level, meaning graduates from comparable programs in the state are likely earning about $4,500 more annually than what this data suggests for UVA-Wise.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 sits in reasonable territory—you're looking at manageable monthly payments relative to expected income. But the concern is the earnings floor itself. At $37,500, graduates would be earning what's typical nationally but significantly less than state peers, which matters for cost of living and career trajectory in Virginia. For a region like Wise, where living costs may be lower than state averages, this gap might matter less day-to-day, but it could limit options if graduates want to relocate to higher-cost Virginia markets.

Before committing, your family should investigate why similar programs in Virginia appear to produce stronger earnings outcomes. Is it the program's career services, the alumni network, or simply the job markets accessible from different Virginia locations? The small sample size that necessitates these estimates could reflect a program still building its track record—which means talking directly to recent graduates about their actual outcomes would be particularly valuable here.