Indiana·Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations·SOC 19-3099

Best Social Scientist programs in Indiana, ranked by enrollment

All social scientists and related workers not listed.

28 schools in Indiana run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,079 people a year. The job pays a median of $89,440 in Indiana across about jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledPlannerProgram OfficerTransportation PlannerTransportation Data Programs ManagerLinguistDemographerEthnologistEtymologist
Graduates / yr
2,079
in Indiana
Median pay · Indiana
$89,440
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
people employed
Schools
28
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
56%
across those schools
Median net price
$20,155
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in Indiana that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.17
Behavioral Sciences
1,758graduates / yr
3 schools · 1 specialization · 84.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $36,206
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.11
Gerontology
89graduates / yr
5 schools · 1 specialization · 4.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,623
Education
CIP 13.06
Educational Assessment
59graduates / yr
3 schools · 5 specializations · 2.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,086
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.33
Sustainability Studies
34graduates / yr
11 schools · 1 specialization · 1.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $37,223
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.51
Philosophy
29graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.27
Human Biology
22graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 1.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,690
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.05
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
20graduates / yr
5 schools · 1 specialization · 1.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $40,929
Social Sciences
CIP 45.01
Social Sciences
18graduates / yr
3 schools · 2 specializations · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,590
Social Sciences
CIP 45.99
Social Sciences
16graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 0.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $36,279
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.23
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
8graduates / yr
4 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $25,750
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.44
Geography and Environmental Studies
8graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.46
History and Political Science
8graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
CIP 16.01
Linguistic
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.2% of pipeline
Grad earnings $27,449
Public Administration And Social Service Professions
CIP 44.05
Public Policy Analysis
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $44,740
Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
CIP 19.07
Human Development
1graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,642
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.26
Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
1graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $21,458
Social Sciences
CIP 45.05
Demography
1graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings

23 programs in Indiana that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in Indiana (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Indiana page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1
CIP 30.1701In Indiana
1,758
84.6%
3$36,206$29,240
2
CIP 30.1101In Indiana
89
4.3%
5$37,623$25,986
3
CIP 30.3301In Indiana
34
1.6%
11$37,223$20,968
4
CIP 30.5101In Indiana
29
1.4%
1
5
CIP 30.2701In Indiana
22
1.1%
2$31,690$17,312
6
CIP 13.0699In Indiana
20
1.0%
1$33,086$26,000
7
CIP 30.0501In Indiana
20
1.0%
5$40,929$25,000
8
CIP 13.0601In Indiana
19
0.9%
3$33,086$26,000
9
CIP 45.9999In Indiana
16
0.8%
2$36,279$25,312
10
CIP 13.0603In Indiana
13
0.6%
2$33,086$26,000
11
CIP 45.0102In Indiana
12
0.6%
1$35,590$24,095
12
CIP 30.2301In Indiana
8
0.4%
4$25,750$18,622
13
CIP 30.4401In Indiana
8
0.4%
1
14
CIP 30.4601In Indiana
8
0.4%
1
15
CIP 13.0607In Indiana
6
0.3%
1$33,086$26,000
16
CIP 45.0101In Indiana
6
0.3%
3$35,590$24,095
17
CIP 16.0199In Indiana
5
0.2%
1$27,449$20,824
18
CIP 13.0604In Indiana
1
0.0%
1$33,086$26,000
19
CIP 19.0702In Indiana
1
0.0%
1$31,642$23,092
20
CIP 30.2601In Indiana
1
0.0%
1$21,458$21,125
21
CIP 44.0502In Indiana
1
0.0%
1$44,740$22,000
22
CIP 44.0503In Indiana
1
0.0%
1$44,740$22,000
23
CIP 45.0501In Indiana
1
0.0%
1

Top 25 schools in Indiana

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 1 of the 28 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN Public · 4 feeder programs
1,725Behavioral Sciences50%
2University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
62Gerontology56%$18,93066%
3Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN Public · 5 feeder programs
57Gerontology83%50%
4Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
29Philosophy, Politics, and Economics77%$19,02163%
5Ball State University
Muncie, IN Public · 2 feeder programs
27Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other62%85%
6Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
27Behavioral Sciences39%
7Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, IN Public · 4 feeder programs
26Educational Statistics and Research Methods80%78%
8Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN Public · 3 feeder programs
19Gerontology43%81%
9Indiana University - Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN Public · 5 feeder programs
16Human Biology54%76%
10Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
12Behavioral Sciences$28,34043%72%
11Butler University
Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
11Social Sciences, Other80%$35,69685%
12Indiana University - Kokomo
Kokomo, IN Public · 2 feeder programs
10History and Political Science46%86%
13Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN Public · 2 feeder programs
8Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution36%84%
14Indiana University - South Bend
South Bend, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
7Sustainability Studies40%84%
15Earlham College
Richmond, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
6Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution69%$23,21373%
16Indiana University - Southeast
New Albany, IN Public · 3 feeder programs
6Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies39%84%
17Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion
Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
6Social Sciences, Other67%$21,35189%
18University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
4Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution95%$19,45211%
19Goshen College
Goshen, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
3Sustainability Studies65%$15,43084%
20Indiana University - East
Richmond, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
3Sustainability Studies40%67%
21University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN Public · 1 feeder programs
3Social Sciences, General48%96%
22Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
3Educational Evaluation and Research70%$20,15589%
23DePauw University
Greencastle, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
2Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution75%$20,87457%
24Manchester University
North Manchester, IN Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs
2Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution46%$17,98071%
25Trine University - Regional/Non - Traditional Campuses
Angola, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs
2Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies0%$21,97640%

All 28 schools in Indiana

Every school in Indiana with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in Indiana that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
Purdue University GlobalWest LafayettePublic1,7254
University of IndianapolisIndianapolisPrivate not-for-profit623
Purdue University - Main CampusWest LafayettePublic575
Wabash CollegeCrawfordsvillePrivate not-for-profit291
Ball State UniversityMunciePublic272
Vincennes UniversityVincennesPublic271
Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomingtonPublic264
Indiana State UniversityTerre HautePublic193
Indiana University - IndianapolisIndianapolisPublic165
Purdue University NorthwestHammondPublic121
Butler UniversityIndianapolisPrivate not-for-profit111
Indiana University - KokomoKokomoPublic102
Purdue University Fort WayneFort WaynePublic82
Indiana University - South BendSouth BendPublic71
Earlham CollegeRichmondPrivate not-for-profit61

What social scientists and related workers, all other earn in Indiana

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in Indiana
$89,440
Mean annual
$91,060
Jobs in state
What the range looks like
10th pct$63,130Median$89,44090th pct$123,710
Versus the national median
-11.5%

U.S. median $101,110. Indiana pays below the national figure.

Metro areas in Indiana

Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
$84,570median
70 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
-1.7%
Decline
Openings per year
3,200
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
-700
40,800 → 40,100
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other page.

How to become a Social Scientist

Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingActive Learning

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in Indiana

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 03.0209Energy and Environmental Policy
  • 13.0601Educational Evaluation and Research
  • 13.0603Educational Statistics and Research Methods
  • 13.0604Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement
  • 13.0607Learning Sciences
  • 13.0699Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other
  • 16.0199Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other
  • 19.0702Adult Development and Aging
  • 30.0501Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
  • 30.1001Biopsychology
  • 30.1101Gerontology
  • 30.1701Behavioral Sciences
  • 30.2101Holocaust and Related Studies
  • 30.2301Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
  • 30.2601Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
  • 30.2701Human Biology
  • 30.3301Sustainability Studies
  • 30.3401Anthrozoology
  • 30.4001Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
  • 30.4201Geoarcheaology
  • 30.4401Geography and Environmental Studies
  • 30.4601History and Political Science
  • 30.4701Linguistics and Anthropology
  • 30.5101Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • 44.0502Education Policy Analysis

Common questions

Answers for people weighing social scientists and related workers, all other programs in Indiana.

What degree do you need to become a Social Scientist?+

Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Behavioral Sciences, which awarded 1,758 degrees in Indiana in 2024-25, 84.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Social Scientist?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 23 programs to this occupation. The largest are Behavioral Sciences, Gerontology, Educational Assessment, Sustainability Studies, plus 13 more. Together they graduate about 2,079 people a year in Indiana.

How much do social scientists and related workers, all other earn in Indiana?+

The median is $89,440 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 11.5% below the U.S. median of $101,110. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for social scientists and related workers, all other growing?+

BLS projects a -1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, decline, with roughly 3,200 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in Indiana?+

28 institutions in Indiana reported graduates from at least one of the 23 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do social scientists and related workers, all other work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Planner, Program Officer, Transportation Planner, Transportation Data Programs Manager among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 19-3099.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in other statesCaliforniaUtahNew YorkMassachusettsIllinoisVirginiaTexasPennsylvania

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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