Social Sciences, General at Virginia Western Community College
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, General. 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, General 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, General 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, General 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, 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
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