Social Sciences at Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Social Sciences, General

enrolling 9,802 students in Harrisburg, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,600 track close to the $26,524 national median for Social Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 28.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 45% of job tasks, producing a 35% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

The $21,405 debt-to-$27,600 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #17 out of 21 programs, Harrisburg Area Community College's financial outcomes for Social Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,600 to $40,791 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
55
Score
58
High End
Earnings $27,600/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (55% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$445K
10.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.2x
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)
$14,746
Out-of-state: $22,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,405
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,791
48% 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

Explore what Social Sciences graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 21 programs nationwide.

Read the full Social Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences Overview

Social Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Harrisburg Area Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Harrisburg Area Community College's Social Sciences program score?
At 55/100, the score looks reasonable — but Social Sciences is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences at Harrisburg Area Community College?
AI won't eliminate Social Sciences careers, but it may reshape them. At Harrisburg Area Community College, a score of 55/100 already accounts for the 45% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the job market like for Social Sciences from Harrisburg Area Community College?
At 318,400 annual openings, Social Sciences has a very large employment base. Harrisburg Area 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 →