Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $23,704/yr fall 39% below the $38,652 national median for Social Sciences, General. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
The 12.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the -0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $20,081 debt-to-$23,704 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #70 out of 76 programs, San Diego State University's financial outcomes for Social Sciences, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $23,704 to $31,866 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.