Best institutions to study Social Sciences
A program that focuses on the general study of human social behavior and social institutions using any of the methodologies common to the social sciences and/or history, or an undifferentiated program of study in the social sciences.
339 U.S. institutions graduated 14,991 Social Sciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0101, a specialization of Social Sciences (CIP 45.01), and leads most directly to the Social Science Research Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 19-4061).
About Social Sciences programs
A program that focuses on the general study of human social behavior and social institutions using any of the methodologies common to the social sciences and/or history, or an undifferentiated program of study in the social sciences.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Social Sciences program provides a comprehensive exploration of human social behavior and social institutions. This general study is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of society through various methodologies common to the social sciences and history. It is ideal for those who wish to engage with critical social issues and contribute to community development.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes statistical analysis, research methodologies, and the use of technology for data management, preparing graduates for various roles in the social sciences field.
Credentials awarded
What Social Sciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree9,318 graduates / yr · 122 institutions62%
- Bachelor's degree5,133 graduates / yr · 206 institutions34%
- Master's degree441 graduates / yr · 23 institutions2.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year26 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship24 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years23 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate19 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Social Sciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 21,234 |
| 2013 | 21,427 |
| 2014 | 20,419 |
| 2015 | 19,610 |
| 2016 | 19,493 |
| 2017 | 19,359 |
| 2018 | 18,802 |
| 2019 | 19,377 |
| 2020 | 19,325 |
| 2021 | 18,541 |
| 2022 | 16,647 |
| 2023 | 15,710 |
| 2024 | 15,344 |
| 2025 | 14,991 |
Top 50 institutions for Social Sciences, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAssociate's | 1,037 | 37% | — | $22,947 |
| 2 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 455 | 45% | — | — |
| 3 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate's | 422 | 42% | — | $30,103 |
| 4 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAssociate's | 409 | 34% | — | $24,052 |
| 5 | Ohlone College Fremont, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 383 | 52% | — | $22,545 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate's | 359 | 37% | — | $27,691 |
| 7 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate's | 350 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAssociate's | 339 | 45% | — | $26,482 |
| 9 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VAPublicAssociate's | 326 | 32% | — | $18,164 |
| 10 | Folsom Lake College Folsom, CAPublicAssociate's | 313 | 44% | — | — |
| 11 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 290 | 86% | — | $33,235 |
| 12 | Brookdale Community College Lincroft, NJPublicAssociate's | 288 | 30% | — | $26,231 |
| 13 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 283 | 94% | $14,854 | $61,389 |
| 14 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor's | 262 | 72% | — | $38,147 |
| 15 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 260 | 33% | — | $23,637 |
| 16 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAssociate's | 257 | 38% | — | — |
| 17 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate's | 250 | 45% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 224 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 19 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 212 | 33% | — | $50,557 |
| 20 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor's | 207 | 60% | — | $43,069 |
| 21 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor's | 194 | 53% | — | $35,093 |
| 22 | Yuba College Marysville, CAPublicAssociate's | 193 | 40% | — | — |
| 23 | Woodland Community College Woodland, CAPublicAssociate's | 192 | 43% | — | — |
| 24 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 189 | 43% | $34,565 | $42,932 |
| 25 | College of San Mateo San Mateo, CAPublicAssociate's | 183 | 61% | — | — |
| 26 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 177 | 75% | — | $28,844 |
| 27 | Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 165 | 68% | $24,278 | $23,302 |
| 28 | Clovis Community College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate's | 158 | 45% | — | — |
| 29 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 157 | 98% | $15,013 | $56,540 |
| 30 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAssociate's | 151 | 32% | — | $29,425 |
| 31 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAssociate's | 149 | 37% | — | — |
| 32 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAssociate's | 147 | 31% | — | — |
| 33 | Porterville College Porterville, CAPublicAssociate's | 147 | 34% | — | — |
| 34 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton, VAPublicAssociate's | 146 | 34% | — | $25,478 |
| 35 | Merced College Merced, CAPublicAssociate's | 142 | 36% | — | $34,168 |
| 36 | Frederick Community College Frederick, MDPublicAssociate's | 131 | 37% | — | $32,749 |
| 37 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 122 | 33% | $29,230 | $37,335 |
| 38 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate's | 121 | 24% | — | — |
| 39 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAssociate's | 120 | 23% | — | — |
| 40 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NCPublicBachelor's | 119 | 42% | — | $35,978 |
| 41 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 111 | 48% | — | — |
| 42 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor's | 111 | 77% | — | $34,427 |
| 43 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 110 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 44 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 110 | 65% | — | $35,363 |
| 45 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAssociate's | 107 | 68% | — | — |
| 46 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 99 | 55% | — | $18,893 |
| 47 | University of Hawaii - West Oahu Kapolei, HIPublicBachelor's | 97 | 50% | — | $34,388 |
| 48 | Lake Tahoe Community College South Lake Tahoe, CAPublicAssociate's | 95 | 45% | — | — |
| 49 | California State University - Chico Chico, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 93 | 63% | — | $36,382 |
| 50 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 93 | 81% | — | $46,206 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Social Sciences field (CIP 45.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 53 states & territories
Where Social Sciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Social Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4061, Social Science Research Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Social Sciences program can pursue careers as Social Science Research Assistants and other related roles. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 5,200 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $58,040, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Social Science Research Assistantsprimary SOC 19-4061 | $61,990 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~5,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other SOC 25-1069 | $72,990 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~1,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Social Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Social Sciences specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Social Sciences (CIP 45.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or a Master's degree in Social Sciences.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, writing, active listening, and data analysis.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Social Science Research Assistant, manager, or educator, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for Social Sciences graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.4%.
What is the CIP code for Social Sciences?+
Social Sciences is CIP 45.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Social Sciences (CIP 45.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the general study of human social behavior and social institutions using any of the methodologies common to the social sciences and/or history, or an undifferentiated program of study in the social sciences.
How many institutions offer Social Sciences programs?+
339 U.S. institutions reported Social Sciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 53 states & territories, awarding 14,991 credentials in the year. That is 86.6% of all Social Sciences graduates.
How much do Social Sciences graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Social Science Research Assistants occupation, which Social Sciences most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,990 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Social Sciences field report median earnings of $35,978 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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