Social Sciences graduates earn $56,812 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 33.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Social Sciences is a specialized field of study. Graduates typically earn around $56,812 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 154 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,069 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Social Sciences graduates earn $56,812 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,742 and $77,687. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $36,413 climbs to $56,812 by year four.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
Near the national median for college graduates.
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
There is a wide earnings spread across Social Sciences graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $56,812 and an estimated $77,920 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.9 years.
Based on outcomes from 132 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Of the 2,069 students who complete Social Sciences programs each year, the majority (69%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
Social Sciences connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Political Scientist leads at $142,080/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Social Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
| # | College | Graduates | Acceptance | Net Price/yr | Earnings 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Towson University Towson, MD · Public | 207 | 82% | $17,413 | $64,390 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | 193 | 11% | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 3 | New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit | 116 | 9.2% | $37,050 | $82,509 |
| 4 | Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit | 107 | 11.1% | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| 5 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit | 74 | 4% | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| 6 | University of Southern Maine Portland, ME · Public | 59 | 79.2% | $13,596 | $49,958 |
| 7 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | 56 | 26.7% | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA · Public | 40 | 82.5% | $10,163 | $78,466 |
| 9 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN · Public | 39 | 81.1% | $14,265 | $51,151 |
| 10 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit | 39 | 4.5% | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| 11 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ · Public | 36 | 58.2% | $24,406 | $74,479 |
| 12 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA · Public | 35 | 31.3% | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| 13 | Clark University Worcester, MA · Nonprofit | 34 | 39.5% | $28,714 | $62,381 |
| 14 | Carl Albert State College Poteau, OK · Public | 33 | Open | $14,607 | $34,117 |
| 15 | University of Rochester Rochester, NY · Nonprofit | 27 | 40.1% | $29,278 | $79,042 |
| 16 | University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA · Public | 26 | 76.4% | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PA · Public | 25 | 94.3% | $18,256 | $47,295 |
| 18 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA · Public | 25 | 86.2% | $20,787 | $55,246 |
| 19 | Columbus State University Columbus, GA · Public | 25 | 99.1% | $13,115 | $44,544 |
| 20 | Wesleyan University Middletown, CT · Nonprofit | 25 | 16.5% | $30,177 | $73,897 |
Ranked by Social Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →
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 program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.
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The data on Social Sciences shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
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.
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