WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-14% vs national median1,145 grads tracked

Social Sciences at Western Illinois University

Ranked 258th of 387 bachelor's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,912
middle 50%: $24,865 – $45,139
Median · 5 years out
$51,471
middle 50%: $38,455 – $69,140
Median · 10 years out
$67,235
middle 50%: $48,745 – $93,952

Salary trajectory

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

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

Graduates of Western Illinois University's bachelor's program in Social Sciences earn a median $33,912 one year after graduating, rising to $67,235 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $59,812 for this field, ranking 258th of 387 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
8.2 yrs
≈ $9,859 total interest

Same major at other universities

Aurora University
$52,071 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois at Springfield
$51,981 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$51,653 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York Polytechnic Institute
$51,627 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$51,617 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$51,572 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
$51,455 · 5 yrs out
Newberry College
$51,441 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
$51,275 · 5 yrs out
Piedmont University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Manchester University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$51,223 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$163,593 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,538 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$98,269 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Master's)
$97,417 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$97,160 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,133 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$96,422 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$84,414 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$82,090 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$82,014 · 5 yrs out
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General (Bachelor's)
$81,320 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$80,729 · 5 yrs out

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