Missouri · Social Sciences

Best colleges for Social Sciences in Missouri

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Missouri-St Louis, Southeast Missouri State University and Missouri Southern State University award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Missouri: 18, 11 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Missouri colleges offer Social Sciences and award 64 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
9
offering CIP 45.01
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
64
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$37,193
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,886
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
64%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Social Science Research Assistants
$61,550
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
1Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$37,1931158%—$34,390

Colleges awarding the most Social Sciences degrees in Missouri

Top 9 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)
1University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis Public
18Not reported
2Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau Public
11$37,193
3Missouri Southern State University
Joplin Public
8Not reported
4Evangel University
Springfield Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
5Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis Private not-for-profit
6Not reported
6Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis Private not-for-profit
5Not reported
7University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia Public
5Not reported
8Missouri State University - Springfield
Springfield Public
4Not reported
9Saint Louis University
Saint Louis Private not-for-profit
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 Missouri

Jobs in Missouri
750
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$61,550
median $65,940
Best-paying metro
$69,420
Columbia, MO

Related careers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
$56,730 avg · 33,180 jobs
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
$61,510 avg · 11,330 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$61,550 avg · 750 jobs
Statisticians
$76,100 avg · 680 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Social Sciences programs in Missouri.

Which Missouri colleges award the most Social Sciences degrees?+

University of Missouri-St Louis (18 graduates a year), Southeast Missouri State University (11 graduates a year) and Missouri Southern State University (8 graduates a year) award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Missouri colleges offer Social Sciences.

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

The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Missouri is $61,550 (median $65,940), 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.

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.

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