Best colleges for Social Sciences in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University and University of Michigan-Dearborn award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Michigan: 95, 39 and 27 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Michigan colleges offer Social Sciences and award 215 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,…
Top 2 institutions, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,206 | 95 | 81% | — | $29,198 |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,217 | 39 | 67% | — | $27,400 |
Colleges awarding the most Social Sciences degrees in Michigan
Top 10 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.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 95 | $46,206 |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 39 | $43,217 |
| 3 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 4 | Bay Mills Community College Brimley Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 5 | Grace Christian University Wyoming Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Michigan Technological University Houghton Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Michigan-Flint Flint Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Michigan colleges offering Social Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | Public | 5 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Public | 3 |
| Siena Heights University | Adrian | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Concordia University Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Social Science Research Assistants (SOC 19-4061).
Top skills
What Social Science Research Assistants earn in Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Social Sciences programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Social Sciences degrees?+
Michigan State University (95 graduates a year), Grand Valley State University (39 graduates a year) and University of Michigan-Dearborn (27 graduates a year) award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Michigan colleges offer Social Sciences.
Which Social Sciences program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Michigan State University tops the list at $46,206. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Social Science Research Assistants earn in Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Michigan is $60,480 (median $60,210), across about 750 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.
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