WhatGradsMake
Master's-14% vs national median111 grads tracked

Social Sciences at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Ranked 107th of 151 master's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$40,568
middle 50%: $31,219 – $57,619
Median · 5 years out
$65,698
middle 50%: $51,520 – $81,200
Median · 10 years out
$73,157
middle 50%: $50,636 – $91,235

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Social Sciences (master's) graduates.

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

Graduates of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's master's program in Social Sciences earn a median $40,568 one year after graduating, rising to $73,157 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $76,582 for this field, ranking 107th of 151 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
6.7 yrs
≈ $7,814 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Northern Iowa
$66,850 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$66,585 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$66,552 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$66,382 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$65,859 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$65,534 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$64,902 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$64,877 · 5 yrs out
Hollins University
$64,834 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$64,689 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$64,114 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$183,045 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,060 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$128,910 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$128,254 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$112,207 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$110,141 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$98,560 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,955 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$97,921 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,779 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,729 · 5 yrs out

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