Social Sciences, General at Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, PA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 9,802 students in Harrisburg, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,600 track close to the $26,524 national median for Social Sciences, General programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 28.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 45% of job tasks, producing a 35% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $21,405 debt-to-$27,600 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #17 out of 21 programs, Harrisburg Area Community College's financial outcomes for Social Sciences, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,600 to $40,791 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Social Sciences, General has a registered apprenticeship option through Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer with a median wage of $136,550/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
55
Score
58
High End
Earnings $27,600/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (55% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$445K
10.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
11 of 11
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$14,746
Out-of-state: $22,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,405
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,791
48% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Social Sciences, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Statisticians $103,300 +8.5% 34%
Sociologists $101,690 +3.6% 46%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Statisticians
$103,300
+8.5% growth 34% AI-proof
Sociologists
$101,690
+3.6% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 11 career paths with full salary data →

About Social Sciences, General Careers

Your understanding of human behavior can lead directly into management. In this common path, you’ll spend your days in an office leading project teams, using software like Asana to track progress, and analyzing performance data to solve operational problems. Alternatively, you might pursue a career in education, where you’ll be in a classroom guiding students through a history lesson, creating lesson plans, and using platforms like Canvas to communicate with students and parents.

Read the full Social Sciences, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences, General Overview

Social Sciences, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Harrisburg Area Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Harrisburg Area Community College's Social Sciences, General program score?
At 55/100, the score looks reasonable — but Social Sciences, General is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Will AI affect Social Sciences, General careers?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is there demand for Social Sciences, General workers?
With approximately 318,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Social Sciences, General offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →