Social Sciences at Wilmington College

With estimated debt around $27,000 against first-year earnings near $37,500, this bachelor's in social sciences lands squarely in the middle of what similar programs nationally produce—neither a standout nor a red flag. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 suggests graduates would need roughly 72% of their first year's salary to pay off student loans, which is manageable but requires discipline. That's about $300-400 monthly on a standard repayment plan, leaving modest room for other expenses on an entry-level social sciences salary.

The challenge here is specificity: both figures come from peer programs nationally since Wilmington's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. This means your child's experience could differ significantly based on their exact major within social sciences, career path, and how well Wilmington's local network translates into job opportunities in southwestern Ohio. Schools with open admission policies and modest test scores sometimes struggle with completion rates, which matters when debt accrues but a degree doesn't.

The practical question is whether this investment makes sense given your child's specific goals. If they're pursuing social work, counseling, or another field requiring graduate education, understand that this debt is just the starting point. If they're headed toward entry-level nonprofit or government work, these numbers suggest a tight but workable financial picture—assuming they graduate on time and land steady employment.