Social Sciences Studiesat Kalamazoo College
Graduates earn $28,442/yr in their first year — about 24.0% below the national Social Sciences Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $551K; scenarios range from $518K to $556K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Kalamazoo College
The financial outcomes for Kalamazoo's 'Social Sciences, Other' program reflect the broad, interdisciplinary nature of the degree within a liberal arts framework. This isn't a pre-professional or highly specialized path; instead, it cultivates critical thinking and research skills applicable across various fields, but often requires you to build specific vocational expertise on the job or through further education. The regional labor market in Southwest Michigan offers opportunities in education, healthcare, and some manufacturing, but fewer immediate high-paying roles for general social science graduates without additional specialization. Many alumni find themselves in generalist roles in non-profits, education, or entry-level analytical positions, often needing to leverage transferable skills and build experience over time. Consider how you'll proactively build specific, in-demand skills or explore graduate school to refine your career trajectory and boost earning potential.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kalamazoo College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Social Sciences Studies
How Kalamazoo College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Kalamazoo College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kalamazoo College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Sciences Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Social Sciences Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Social Sciences Studies at Kalamazoo College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Sciences Studies at Kalamazoo College?
A score of 19/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Sciences Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Social Sciences Studies careers?
With 33% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $518,390 in decade earnings vs $556,456 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Social Sciences Studies from Kalamazoo College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Is Kalamazoo College a hidden gem for Social Sciences Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $75,492 over four years — 68% below the $235,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.