Social Sciences at Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Social Sciences, General
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,217/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk
High (45% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)
ROI
8.6x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $506K | $504K | $476K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 8.6x | 8.6x | 8.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.1x | 6.1x | 5.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 61% | 54% | 43% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 54 | 53 | 53 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$58,512
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,932
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,160
16% growth from Year 1
About Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University has a 95% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 19,073 in Allendale, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Grand Valley State University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Statisticians
$103,300/yr
Sociologists
$101,690/yr
Compare & Explore
Social Sciences at Other Schools
Other Majors at Grand Valley State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Sciences at Grand Valley State University?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Social Sciences field.
Will AI replace Social Sciences careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $475,985 in decade earnings vs $505,602 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →