Kentucky · Social Sciences

Best colleges for Social Sciences in Kentucky

Ranked by graduate earnings

Western Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Kentucky: 18, 11 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Kentucky colleges offer Social Sciences and award 51 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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
8
offering CIP 45.01
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
51
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,659
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$18,824
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Social Science Research Assistants
$70,300
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$38,6591856%——

Colleges awarding the most Social Sciences degrees in Kentucky

Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
18$38,659
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
11Not reported
3Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
11Not reported
4Morehead State University
Morehead Public
6Not reported
5Lindsey Wilson University
Columbia Private not-for-profit
2Not reported
6Asbury University
Wilmore Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
7Campbellsville University
Campbellsville Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
8Kentucky State University
Frankfort Public
1Not reported

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 Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
1,190
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$70,300
median $66,390
Best-paying metro
$88,200
Bowling Green, KY

Related careers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
$59,870 avg · 19,080 jobs
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$60,150 avg · 8,040 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$70,300 avg · 1,190 jobs
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
$81,530 avg · 350 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Sciences programs in Kentucky.

Which Kentucky colleges award the most Social Sciences degrees?+

Western Kentucky University (18 graduates a year), University of Kentucky (11 graduates a year) and Northern Kentucky University (11 graduates a year) award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Kentucky colleges offer Social Sciences.

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

The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Kentucky is $70,300 (median $66,390), across about 1,190 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card