Best colleges for Social Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Social Sciences by graduate earnings are Vanderbilt University ($61,389), University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($57,538) and Harvard University ($56,540), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN): $61,389, 293 graduates a year
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA): $57,538, 60 graduates a year
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): $56,540, 383 graduates a year
- New York University (New York, NY): $49,016, 65 graduates a year
- Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI): $46,206, 95 graduates a year
Compare 386 U.S. colleges offering Social Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Social Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,978 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.01 and the Social Science Research Assistants occupation (BLS SOC).
About Social Sciences programs
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, culture, and human interactions through various scientific methodologies. It prepares graduates for a range of careers that require a deep understanding of social dynamics.
Students in the Social Sciences program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes research methodology, quantitative methods, and statistical analysis, equipping students with the knowledge to analyze social data and interpret research findings.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,389 | 293 | 94% | $14,854 | $11,000 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,538 | 60 | 85% | — | $20,559 |
| 3 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $56,540 | 383 | 98% | $15,013 | $19,937 |
| 4 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,016 | 65 | 88% | $29,023 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,206 | 95 | 81% | — | $29,198 |
| 6 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,217 | 39 | 67% | — | $27,400 |
| 7 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,069 | 207 | 60% | — | $25,409 |
| 8 | Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,047 | 80 | 70% | — | $25,500 |
| 9 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,332 | 46 | 54% | — | $26,181 |
| 10 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,793 | 35 | 71% | — | $27,500 |
| 11 | Touro University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,111 | 30 | 72% | $27,110 | $33,937 |
| 12 | California State University - Stanislaus Turlock, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,149 | 37 | 53% | — | $15,446 |
| 13 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,061 | 20 | 56% | — | $16,194 |
| 14 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,147 | 262 | 72% | — | $22,917 |
| 15 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,501 | 20 | 59% | — | $22,916 |
| 16 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,472 | 27 | 86% | $33,106 | $47,000 |
| 17 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,446 | 78 | 55% | — | $18,719 |
| 18 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,726 | 53 | 46% | $17,604 | $26,978 |
| 19 | Troy University Troy, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,547 | 40 | 50% | — | $28,125 |
| 20 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,382 | 93 | 63% | — | $16,500 |
| 21 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,978 | 119 | 42% | — | $34,562 |
| 22 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,363 | 119 | 65% | — | $22,442 |
| 23 | Portland State University Portland, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,093 | 194 | 53% | — | $31,000 |
| 24 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,871 | 41 | 87% | — | $16,338 |
| 25 | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $56,221 | 16 | 34% | $22,697 | $25,805 |
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 | Roxbury Community College Roxbury Crossing, MA Public · Associate degree Small program | $37,941 | 15 | 28% | — | — |
Specializations within Social Sciences
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Social SciencesCIP 45.010114,991 graduates / yr339 institutions53 states
- Research Methodology and Quantitative MethodsCIP 45.01022,284 graduates / yr65 institutions33 states
- Survey Research/CIP 45.0103
Methodology New in CIP 2020limited data18 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states - Social SciencesCIP 45.0199New in CIP 2020limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4061, Social Science Research Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Social Sciences program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an estimated 5,200 annual job openings. The median wage for positions in this field is approximately $58,040, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Social Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.01 (Social Sciences, General) maps to 11 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 15-2041 | Statisticians |
| 19-3022 | Survey Researchers |
| 19-3041 | Sociologists |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistantsprimary |
| 25-1067 | Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1069 | Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other |
| 25-2021 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education |
| 25-2022 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Social Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
- Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Social Sciences program?+
The program focuses on the study of human behavior in social and cultural contexts.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, reading comprehension, and statistical analysis.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with around 5,200 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in Social Sciences.
How much do Social Sciences graduates earn?+
Social Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,978, College Scorecard (2019); the Social Science Research Assistants occupation pays about $66,140 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Social Sciences?+
Social Sciences maps to CIP 45.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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