Social Sciences at Westmont College

A bachelor's in Social Sciences from Westmont carries an estimated debt load of roughly $27,000—nearly $11,000 above what's typical for California graduates in this field. While similar private colleges nationally report comparable debt levels, that burden becomes significant when paired with first-year earnings that peer California programs suggest will land around $35,000. You're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77, meaning nearly eight months of gross pay would go toward loan principal alone.

The earnings picture itself isn't alarming—it matches the California median for Social Sciences programs. But graduates from CSU campuses across the state are entering similar career paths with substantially less debt, often half as much. That difference matters over the decade-long repayment timeline. Westmont's smaller class sizes and selective environment (SAT scores averaging 1367) may deliver value beyond what earnings data capture, but financially, the premium you're paying shows up in monthly loan bills, not paychecks.

For families prioritizing return on investment, this combination of higher-than-average debt and middle-of-the-pack earnings warrants honest conversation about whether Westmont's specific educational experience justifies the cost difference. If the answer centers on graduate school plans or career paths where undergraduate prestige matters, fine—but understand you're betting on outcomes these numbers don't reflect.