Best colleges for Social Sciences in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church and Bucks County Community College award the most Social Sciences degrees in Pennsylvania: 31, 9 and 8 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Pennsylvania colleges offer Social Sciences and award 145 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 3 bachelor's programs, 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 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,431 | 8 | 85% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $40,584 | 20 | 34% | — | $29,500 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $32,958 | 1 | 52% | — | $30,887 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Public · Associate degree | $27,600 | 34 | 21% | — | $23,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Social Sciences degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 9 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 31 | Not reported |
| 2 | Bryn Athyn College of the New Church Bryn Athyn Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 3 | Bucks County Community College Newtown Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 8 | $43,431 |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 6 | Reading Area Community College Reading Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 7 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 1 | $40,584 |
| 8 | Wilson College Chambersburg Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 9 | Pennsylvania Western University California Public | 1 | $32,958 |
ShowHide the other 6 Pennsylvania colleges offering Social Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Public | 34 |
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 20 |
| Community College of Allegheny County | Pittsburgh | Public | 10 |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Public | 9 |
| Luzerne County Community College | Nanticoke | Public | 2 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Great Valley (Graduate only) | Malvern | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Social Science Research Assistants (SOC 19-4061).
Top skills
What Social Science Research Assistants earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Social Sciences programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Social Sciences degrees?+
University of Pennsylvania (31 graduates a year), Bryn Athyn College of the New Church (9 graduates a year) and Bucks County Community College (8 graduates a year) award the most Social Sciences degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Pennsylvania colleges offer Social Sciences.
How much do Social Science Research Assistants earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Pennsylvania is $60,080 (median $54,610), across about 860 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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