Master's-4% vs national median139 grads tracked
Social Sciences at Purdue University
Ranked 64th of 151 master's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$46,024
middle 50%: $29,996 – $74,986
Median · 5 years out
$73,728
middle 50%: $52,839 – $109,070
Median · 10 years out
$87,561
middle 50%: $64,825 – $120,473
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
Purdue University social science master's graduates earn $46k in their first year. Median earnings reach $74k at five years and $88k after ten years.
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
5.9 yrs
≈ $6,867 total interest
Same major at other universities
Central Connecticut State University
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
University of North Texas
$75,912 · 5 yrs out
University of Arizona (The)
$75,826 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts at Boston
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Duluth
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Buffalo
$73,476 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York at Stony Brook
$73,294 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Illinois University
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
$72,896 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud State University
$72,871 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Purdue University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out