Social Sciences Studiesat Mount Holyoke College
Graduates earn $22,829/yr in their first year — about 39.0% below the national Social Sciences Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $362K; scenarios range from $359K to $350K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Mount Holyoke College
A "Social Sciences, Other" degree from a liberal arts college like Mount Holyoke cultivates exceptional critical thinking and communication skills, but it’s crucial to understand its career trajectory. The outcomes you're seeing often reflect the broad, non-vocational nature of the major, which doesn't typically lead to high-paying entry-level roles without significant further specialization or proactive career development. Many graduates pursue further education—like law school or a master's—or enter fields such as non-profit work, government, or education, which, while impactful, often have more modest compensation. The regional labor market around South Hadley also offers fewer immediate high-salary opportunities in these areas compared to major urban centers. To maximize your return, actively seek out internships, develop data analysis or technical skills to complement your social science foundation, and build a strong professional network early.
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 Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Mount Holyoke College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Mount Holyoke 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 Mount Holyoke College
What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Sciences Studies at Mount Holyoke College?
At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Social Sciences Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences Studies at Mount Holyoke College?
The 33% 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 Mount Holyoke College a good choice for Social Sciences Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Mount Holyoke College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What do students actually pay for Social Sciences Studies at Mount Holyoke College?
The 54% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $256,568. At a net cost of $118,248, the earnings multiple improves substantially.