Social Sciences Studies at Keystone College

La Plume, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Social Sciences, Other
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,568/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)
ROI 6.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #23 of 33 Social Sciences, Other programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $448K $452K $435K
Earnings Multiple 6.3x 6.3x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 62% 57% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$71,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,844
-20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,108
16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,568/yr, roughly in line with the $37,190 national median for Social Sciences Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.3x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Social Sciences Studies's typical career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $35,568 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #23 of 33 Social Sciences Studies programs, Keystone College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $41,108 are relatively flat compared to the $35,568 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Keystone College

Keystone College accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 870 students in La Plume, PA. With 45% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Keystone College →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other $75,040/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Keystone College

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Social Sciences Studies at Keystone College?
A score of 32/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Social Sciences Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Social Sciences Studies careers?
With 33% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $434,911 in decade earnings vs $448,314 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →