Program Analysis
Graduates earn $34,678/yr, roughly in line with the $38,652 national median for Social Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 18.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $34,678 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #28 out of 76 programs, California State University-Monterey Bay's Social Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $34,678 to $52,537 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.