WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+14% vs national median129 grads tracked

Social Sciences, General at Illinois State University

Ranked 10th of 70 bachelor's programs in Social Sciences, General by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$41,964
middle 50%: $29,092 – $52,737
Median · 5 years out
$61,951
middle 50%: $48,422 – $75,235
Median · 10 years out
$71,576
middle 50%: $59,452 – $90,933

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Social Sciences, General (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Illinois State University's bachelor's program in Social Sciences, General earn a median $41,964 one year after graduating, rising to $71,576 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% above the national median of $54,536 for this field, ranking 10th of 70 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,934 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Oregon
$64,378 · 5 yrs out
Central Connecticut State University
$63,451 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University - Global Campus
$63,097 · 5 yrs out
University of Bridgeport
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$62,113 · 5 yrs out
James Madison University
$61,066 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
$60,774 · 5 yrs out
West Texas A&M University
$60,442 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$59,747 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Western Connecticut State University
$58,734 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Illinois State University

Education (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,004 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$100,616 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,916 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$93,908 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$92,435 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$91,685 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$91,592 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$89,527 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$88,197 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$87,772 · 5 yrs out

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