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Social Sciences · Social Sciences Rank #74 of 76

Social Sciencesat Allen University

Graduates earn $23,095/yr in their first year — about 40.0% below the national Social Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $421K; scenarios range from $411K to $413K depending on AI disruption.

Columbia, SC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
30 AT RISK
31
Optimistic
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,095
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.8x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$421K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Allen University

A general social science degree from a smaller private institution like Allen University often provides a foundational liberal arts education, but typically isn't a direct vocational pipeline to high-paying careers immediately after graduation. Without specialized tracks in areas like data analytics, research methods, or specific policy analysis, graduates frequently enter entry-level human services, non-profit, or administrative roles in the Columbia, SC market, where starting salaries are modest. The higher-earning paths you see listed, such as statisticians or sociologists, almost always require advanced degrees (Master's or PhD) or very specific quantitative skills not typically embedded in a general undergraduate curriculum. Furthermore, roles without deep specialization are increasingly susceptible to automation.

To maximize your prospects with this degree, actively pursue internships from day one and seek out opportunities to develop specific, in-demand skills like data analysis, research methodology, or grant writing that can make you more competitive and less vulnerable to AI risk.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$411K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple7.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$421K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple7.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$413K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple7.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Allen University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Social Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
3
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
4
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
5
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
6
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Social Sciences

How Allen University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Mercer University
GA · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Vanderbilt University
TN · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Top score
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
76
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
15.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Upper Iowa University
IA · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
Also at Allen University

Other top programs at Allen University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Allen University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Social Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Sciences at Allen University

What does a 30/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Sciences at Allen University?

At 30/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

What's the payoff timeline for a Social Sciences degree from Allen University?

At $33,597 in median debt, graduates carry 17 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.

Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences at Allen University?

The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Allen University a good choice for Social Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Allen University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.