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Social Sciences at Virginia Western Community College

Roanoke, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Social Sciences, General

a smaller institution with 3,777 students in Roanoke, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $19,220/yr fall 28% below the $26,524 national median for Social Sciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 29.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Social Sciences programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 45% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Social Sciences graduates.

At $9,346 in median debt against $19,220 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #21 of 21 Social Sciences programs, Virginia Western Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $35,551 show a 85% jump from the $19,220 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Social Sciences 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.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
50
Score
53
High End
Earnings $19,220/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (55% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$337K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.1x
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)
$10,512
Out-of-state: $22,518
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,346
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,551
85% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Social Sciences 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 →

Social Sciences Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Social Sciences careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Social Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences Overview

View all 21 schools offering Social Sciences →

Social Sciences at Other Schools

Roxbury Community College ($37,941) Tulsa Community College ($34,203) Merced College ($34,168) Frederick Community College ($32,749) Sierra College ($30,103) Pasadena City College ($29,847) Tidewater Community College ($29,425) Santa Rosa Junior College ($27,691)

Other Majors at Virginia Western Community College

Nursing ($64,052) Dental Assisting ($61,030) Allied Health Professions ($54,480) Industrial Production Technology ($49,287) Practical Nursing ($48,420) HVAC Technology ($40,629) Electrical Engineering Technology ($40,104) Business Administration ($38,214)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Social Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Social Sciences at Virginia Western Community College?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Social Sciences programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Social Sciences careers?
The 45% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Virginia Western Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why are Social Sciences earnings lower at Virginia Western Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Virginia Western Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Is there demand for Social Sciences workers?
At 318,400 annual openings, Social Sciences has a very large employment base. Virginia Western Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →