Master's-11% vs national median182 grads tracked
Social Sciences at West Virginia University
Ranked 93rd of 151 master's programs in Social Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$47,654
middle 50%: $35,466 – $61,518
Median · 5 years out
$67,936
middle 50%: $52,636 – $82,929
Median · 10 years out
$87,244
middle 50%: $67,835 – $117,100
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
Master's degree holders in Social Sciences see initial median earnings of $48k. Ten-year medians for this program reach $87k.
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
6.2 yrs
≈ $7,011 total interest
Same major at other universities
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
$69,466 · 5 yrs out
Fayetteville State University
$69,154 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$68,928 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$68,484 · 5 yrs out
University of Bridgeport
$68,249 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$67,948 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$67,887 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$67,376 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$67,373 · 5 yrs out
Norfolk State University
$67,174 · 5 yrs out
Georgia Southern University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at West Virginia University
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$165,016 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$156,627 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$152,069 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,321 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$128,840 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,766 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$117,305 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$113,771 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,311 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$109,203 · 5 yrs out