California · Social Sciences

Best Social Sciences institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Social Sciences program, also known as Social Sciences, General, focuses on the study of human behavior in its social and cultural contexts. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of society,…

Institutions
65
offering CIP 45.01
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
7,720
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$34,871
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
19
College Scorecard
Median net price
$28,035
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
47%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Social Science Research Assistants
$62,740
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Ashford University
San Diego Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,588911%$26,445$41,281
2California State University - Stanislaus
Turlock Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,1494953%$15,446
3California State University - Sacramento
Sacramento Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,0612456%$16,194
4California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,4466255%$18,719
5California State University - Chico
Chico Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,3826163%$16,500
6University of California - Irvine
Irvine Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,8712387%$16,338
7California State University - Monterey Bay
Seaside Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,6788359%$11,000
8Merced College
Merced Public · Associate degree
$34,16818836%$7,843
9University of Southern California
Los Angeles Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$33,7894092%$26,873
10Sierra College
Rocklin Public · Associate degree
$30,10353442%$7,834

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Social Science Research Assistants (SOC 19-4061).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~5,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$58,040
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingCritical ThinkingSpeakingScience

What Social Science Research Assistants earn in California

Jobs in California
5,610
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$62,740
median $48,720
Best-paying metro
$76,500
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Related careers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
$93,150 avg · 141,650 jobs
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$92,840 avg · 46,530 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$62,740 avg · 5,610 jobs
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
$131,830 avg · 3,080 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Sciences programs in California.

Which Social Sciences program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Ashford University tops the list at $45,588. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Social Science Research Assistants earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in California is $62,740 (median $48,720), across about 5,610 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Social Sciences program?+

The Social Sciences program, also known as Social Sciences, General, focuses on the study of human behavior in its social and cultural contexts. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of society,…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Social Science Research Assistants?+

The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 5,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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