WhatGradsMake
Master's-13% vs national median357 grads tracked

Social Sciences at Western Illinois University

Ranked 103rd of 151 master's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$46,636
middle 50%: $35,000 – $63,125
Median · 5 years out
$66,552
middle 50%: $46,587 – $87,528
Median · 10 years out
$84,568
middle 50%: $63,004 – $113,161

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 Western Illinois University's master's program in Social Sciences earn a median $46,636 one year after graduating, rising to $84,568 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 13% below the national median of $76,582 for this field, ranking 103rd 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
6.3 yrs
≈ $7,176 total interest

Same major at other universities

Norfolk State University
$67,174 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Illinois University
$66,891 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$66,850 · 5 yrs out
East Carolina University
$66,585 · 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
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
$65,698 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$65,534 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$64,902 · 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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