Social Sciences, General at Tidewater Community College
with a mid-sized student body of 11,797 in Norfolk, VA.
Program Analysis
At $29,425 per year, Social Sciences, General graduates from Tidewater Community College earn slightly above the $26,524 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 32.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Sciences, General programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Social Sciences, General's career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $9,163 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Ranked #14 of 21 Social Sciences, General programs, Tidewater Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $29,425 to $36,694 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Social Sciences, General Overview
Social Sciences, General at Other Schools
Other Majors at Tidewater Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.