SOCIAL STUDIES
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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
Wondering whether Social Sciences is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what a Political Scientist earns and how the role is projected to grow.
Economics, sociology, political science, and anthropology. Rigorous empirical study of how society works, with strong graduate school and public-sector career placement. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $63,293, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 1,693 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 190,792 students complete a degree in this area every 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
-2.0%
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?
Pay for Social Sciences graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $36,547 one year after graduation, rising to $63,293 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, 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
Studying Social Sciences does not lock you into one job title. It opens 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Political Scientist pays the most among them at a median $142,080 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.
Another common path leads to what an Economist typically earns and how the field is trending.
Political Scientist
Master's degree
$142,080
↘ -2.0% growth
Economist
Master's degree
$124,720
↗ +4.7% growth
Economics Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$123,920
↗ +2.4% growth
Data Scientist
Bachelor's degree
$120,230
↗ +34.6% growth
Statisticians
Master's degree
$105,650
↗ +11.0% growth
Medical Scientists
Doctoral or professional degree
$103,410
↗ +12.6% growth
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$99,650
↗ +2.6% growth
Political Science Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$98,070
↗ +2.5% growth
Social Sciences Specializations
Which specialization you pick inside Social Sciences matters more than usual here. Social Sciences breaks into 13 specializations, and four-year earnings swing from $41,748 to $82,686 depending on which one you choose. Each row below links to a full program profile, sorted highest-paying first. Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for an Economics program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Social Sciences
These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Social Sciences, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for University of California-Los Angeles.
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
Weigh the financial trade-offs in Social Sciences carefully before committing to it. The 4 strengths and 2 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.
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 +34.6% 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?
$63,293 a year four years after finishing the degree. That is the national median, so half of graduates earn more and half earn less, and specialization, institution, and region move the number a lot. Use the specializations table on this page to see which tracks pay above and below it. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Social Sciences degree?
About $36,547 in the first year out, at the institutional level. That is an early number, not a ceiling, and it moves with employer, location, and which specialization within Social Sciences you picked. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Social Sciences degree?
More than one path, so the degree does not lock you into a single title. Political Scientist pays the most among related roles, at a median $142,080 a year nationally, but it is one option among several. See the Career Paths section on this page for the full list with employment levels and 10-year growth projections. Source: BLS.
How many colleges offer Social Sciences?
1,693 colleges and universities in the United States, so location is rarely the limiting factor. Options run from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs, so the harder choice is which type of school fits, not whether one is nearby. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Social Sciences degree worth it?
For most students, yes, though the margin depends on which specialization and school you pick. Median 4-year earnings run $63,293 against an average net price of roughly $19,158 a year across institutions that offer this major, and high-earning specializations widen that gap considerably. Compare your specific program before assuming the average applies to you.
How long does it take to earn a Social Sciences degree?
Four years for a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences at the normal full-time pace, or two years for an associate version at a community college. Part-time or online study stretches that timeline out, and transfer credits can shorten it.
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?
Outlook is strong: related occupations project an average of +8.6% growth over the next decade. Data Scientist leads the group at +34.6%. Demand still swings by specialization, employer sector, and region, so treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Source: BLS.
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