Social Sciences, Other: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 9 reporting college programs.
$71,200 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $31,840
- Federal debt
- $11,204
- Reporting programs
- 3
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,888
- Federal debt
- $25,750
- Reporting programs
- 40
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $71,200
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 9
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $73,080
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Columbia University in the City of New York$87,6092University of California, Los Angeles$82,1053CUNY Graduate School and University Center$74,9624Coppin State University$72,1785Empire State University$71,2006Columbus State University$67,5957Azusa Pacific University$63,7718Clark University$62,3049Capella University$50,531Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New YorkMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $87,609 | Not available | Baseline needed | $21,590 |
| 2 | University of California, Los AngelesMaster's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $82,105 | Not available | Baseline needed | $12,548 |
| 3 | CUNY Graduate School and University CenterMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $74,962 | Not available | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 4 | Coppin State UniversityMaster's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $72,178 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,977 |
| 5 | Empire State UniversityMaster's Degree | Saratoga Springs, NY | $71,200 | Not available | Baseline needed | $11,676 |
| 6 | Columbus State UniversityMaster's Degree | Columbus, GA | $67,595 | Not available | Baseline needed | $13,115 |
| 7 | Azusa Pacific UniversityMaster's Degree | Azusa, CA | $63,771 | Not available | Baseline needed | $22,212 |
| 8 | Clark UniversityMaster's Degree | Worcester, MA | $62,304 | Not available | Baseline needed | $28,714 |
| 9 | Capella UniversityMaster's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $50,531 | Not available | Baseline needed | $17,956 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.