Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,459
Est. from national median (76 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$26,975
Est. from national median (24 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's in Social Sciences at Wilmington University comes with an estimated debt load of $27,000—slightly above the national median for these programs—while similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $37,500. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio falls into manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly nine months of their first year's salary. For context, Delaware has limited options for Social Sciences bachelor's programs, which makes direct in-state comparisons difficult.

The challenge with Social Sciences degrees broadly is that they serve as springboards to various careers, from social work to business roles, and outcomes depend heavily on the specific path a graduate pursues. Based on peer programs, the $37,500 starting point suggests modest early earnings that could grow substantially with the right career moves or graduate education. The debt isn't crushing, but it's meaningful enough that your child should have a clear plan for how they'll apply this degree—whether that's immediate employment, graduate school, or a specific career track that values this credential.

The practical question is whether Wilmington's flexibility and accessibility justify the estimated cost when Delaware offers few alternatives and the career trajectory for Social Sciences graduates varies so widely. If your child has a concrete plan that requires this degree and values the program's structure, the debt burden appears workable. Without that clarity, the estimated outcomes suggest caution about taking on debt for a credential whose value depends entirely on what comes next.

Where Wilmington University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all social sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Social Sciences bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Wilmington UniversityNew Castle$12,330$37,459*$26,975*
Mercer UniversityMacon$40,890$61,612*$47,010*0.76
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville$63,946$61,389*$80,320$11,000*0.18
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle$12,643$57,538*$79,100$20,559*0.36
Harvard UniversityCambridge$59,076$56,540*$72,825$19,937*0.35
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette$19,000$56,221*$42,471$25,805*0.46
National Median$37,459*$25,500*0.68
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with social sciences graduates

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

$101,690/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in sociology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Survey Researchers

Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.

$63,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

$62,970/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

$62,310/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Wilmington University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 76 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.