SOCIAL STUDIES
+0.4%Education
Teaching, curriculum design, and school leadership degrees that lead directly to K-12 classrooms, special education, and administration careers in schools.
Social Sciences
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Social Sciences
Economics, sociology, political science, and anthropology — rigorous empirical study of how society works, with strong graduate school and public-sector career placement. Graduates earn a national median of $63,293 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 1,693 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 190,792 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $36,547
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $63,293
- Colleges Offering
- 1,693
- Graduates / Year
- 190,792
- Specializations
- 13
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $19,158
Is a Social Sciences Degree Right for You?
$63,293
Median earnings · 4yr
-3.1%
10yr job growth
13
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~2.3
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $63,293 after 4 years. Against an estimated $76,632 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.3 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Social Sciences Majors Earn?
Social Sciences graduates start at a median $36,547 one year out and reach $63,293 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 1,693 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$36,547
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$63,293
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$58,537
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Social Sciences specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $82,686/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $41,748/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$41,748
Lowest
$63,293
Median
$82,686
Highest
What Can You Do With a Social Sciences Degree?
Career Paths for Social Sciences Graduates
Social Sciences connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Political Scientist leads in median earnings at $142,080/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Political Scientist
Master's degree
$142,080
↘ -3.1% growth
Economist
Master's degree
$124,720
↗ +1.2% growth
Economics Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$123,920
↗ +2.1% growth
Data Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$120,230
↗ +33.5% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +8.5% growth
Medical Scientists
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,410
↗ +8.7% growth
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$99,650
↗ +2.7% growth
Political Science Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$98,070
↗ +2.0% growth
Social Sciences Specializations
Social Sciences breaks into 13 specializations. Earnings range widely from $41,748 to $82,686 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Social Sciences
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Social Sciences graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
2
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
3
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
Acceptance
33%
Net price/yr
$16,109
Earnings 10yr
$74,915
Grad rate
65%
4
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4.5%
Net price/yr
$14,860
Earnings 10yr
$91,885
Grad rate
91%
5
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit
Acceptance
6.4%
Net price/yr
$18,809
Earnings 10yr
$87,555
Grad rate
87%
6
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
47.1%
Net price/yr
$36,586
Earnings 10yr
$90,873
Grad rate
78%
7
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA · Public
Acceptance
28.6%
Net price/yr
$14,251
Earnings 10yr
$80,735
Grad rate
75%
8
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4%
Net price/yr
$21,590
Earnings 10yr
$102,491
Grad rate
79%
9
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
10
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
12.9%
Net price/yr
$40,815
Earnings 10yr
$103,494
Grad rate
90%
11
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$11,297
Earnings 10yr
$61,675
Grad rate
78%
12
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
Acceptance
45.2%
Net price/yr
$17,354
Earnings 10yr
$73,792
Grad rate
75%
13
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
Acceptance
44.8%
Net price/yr
$15,678
Earnings 10yr
$82,860
Grad rate
76%
14
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA · Public
Acceptance
41.8%
Net price/yr
$14,741
Earnings 10yr
$80,838
Grad rate
81%
15
American University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
62%
Net price/yr
$41,943
Earnings 10yr
$77,370
Grad rate
78%
16
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
Acceptance
24.2%
Net price/yr
$6,541
Earnings 10yr
$71,588
Grad rate
83%
17
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
Acceptance
26.7%
Net price/yr
$12,470
Earnings 10yr
$84,943
Grad rate
86%
18
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
Acceptance
15.6%
Net price/yr
$13,138
Earnings 10yr
$83,648
Grad rate
90%
19
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL · Public
Acceptance
43.2%
Net price/yr
$9,812
Earnings 10yr
$57,743
Grad rate
68%
20
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
Ranked by number of Social Sciences graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Social Sciences Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Social Sciences degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Social Sciences degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Social Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons
Social Sciences carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 4 strengths and 2 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $63,293 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
- Growing field Top career paths show up to +33.5% projected 10-year growth per BLS, including Data Scientist.
- Wide availability Offered at 1,693 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $36,547 at graduation to $63,293 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
- Highly competitive job market Approximately 190,792 students graduate in this field each year, one of the highest volumes among all majors.
Social Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Social Sciences graduates earn?
Social Sciences graduates earn a national median of $63,293 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Social Sciences degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Social Sciences degree holders is $36,547 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Social Sciences degree?
Social Sciences degree holders work in a range of careers. Political Scientist is one of the top roles by median wage ($142,080/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Social Sciences?
1,693 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Social Sciences, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Social Sciences degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $63,293 and an average net price of roughly $19,158/yr across institutions offering this major, a Social Sciences degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Social Sciences degree?
A bachelor's degree in Social Sciences typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Social Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Social Sciences graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, data analysis, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Employers in government, nonprofit, and research roles look for experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, and statistical analysis.
Is graduate school worth it for Social Sciences graduates?
With a median salary of $63,293, graduate study in Social Sciences can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Social Sciences graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Social Sciences graduates is moderate, with an average of +7.0% projected growth across related occupations. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
-
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
- STEM earnings
- Engineering pay
- Computer science
- Program earnings
- Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.