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Social sciences · bachelor's degree

Social Sciences, General major: colleges and pay

227 colleges in our data award bachelor's degrees in social sciences, general, 5,625 of them in 2023-24. Graduates of the typical program earned $43,854 a year after graduating and $52,562 four years after.

Colleges offering it227
Graduates in 2023-245,625
Typical median debt$19,934
Typical earnings 1 yr after$43,854
Typical earnings 4 yrs after$52,562
Earnings to debt2.2x

Where social sciences, general graduates earn the most

Typical earnings four years after graduation, by state (states with 3 or more programs reporting).

Alabama: not enough dataAlaska: not enough dataArizona: not enough dataColorado: not enough dataFlorida: $47,969 four years afterGeorgia: not enough dataIndiana: not enough dataKansas: not enough dataMaine: not enough dataMassachusetts: not enough dataMinnesota: not enough dataNew Jersey: not enough dataNorth Carolina: $44,793 four years afterNorth Dakota: not enough dataOklahoma: not enough dataPennsylvania: $54,069 four years afterSouth Dakota: not enough dataTexas: not enough dataWyoming: not enough dataConnecticut: not enough dataMissouri: not enough dataWest Virginia: not enough dataIllinois: not enough dataNew Mexico: not enough dataArkansas: not enough dataCalifornia: $56,363 four years afterDelaware: not enough dataDistrict of Columbia: not enough dataHawaii: not enough dataIowa: not enough dataKentucky: not enough dataMaryland: not enough dataMichigan: $52,520 four years afterMississippi: not enough dataMontana: not enough dataNew Hampshire: not enough dataNew York: $57,882 four years afterOhio: not enough dataOregon: $52,562 four years afterTennessee: not enough dataUtah: not enough dataVirginia: not enough dataWashington: $61,617 four years afterWisconsin: not enough dataNebraska: not enough dataSouth Carolina: $44,416 four years afterIdaho: not enough dataNevada: not enough dataVermont: not enough dataLouisiana: not enough dataRhode Island: not enough data
$44,416$61,617· grey: fewer than 3 programs with data
$31,967 to $36,963: 5 programs$36,963 to $41,959: 5 programs$41,959 to $46,955: 10 programs$46,955 to $51,950: 18 programs$51,950 to $56,946: 15 programs$56,946 to $61,942: 19 programs$61,942 to $66,938: 4 programs$66,938 to $71,934: 2 programs$71,934 to $76,930: 2 programs$76,930 to $81,925: 1 programs$81,925 to $86,921: 0 programs$86,921 to $91,917: 2 programsTypical $52,562$31,967$91,917
Median earnings four years after graduation at each college's program

Colleges where social sciences, general graduates earn the most

Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings four years after graduation.

Vanderbilt University$103,229
New York University$91,917
Harvard University$78,996
University of Washington-Seattle Campus$75,301
Towson University$68,242
Thomas Edison State University$63,772
California State University-San Marcos$63,622
Empire State University$61,925
Washington State University$61,617
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus$59,883
CollegeGraduates (2023-24)Earnings 1 yr afterEarnings 4 yrs afterMedian debt
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN314$74,534$103,229$15,000
New York UniversityNew York, NY40$51,431$91,917$21,125
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA163$55,717$78,996$25,000
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA49$56,673$75,301$20,916
Towson UniversityTowson, MD22$50,294$68,242$19,500
Thomas Edison State UniversityTrenton, NJ78$55,862$63,772$13,821
California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA63$38,828$63,622$15,769
Empire State UniversitySaratoga Springs, NY25$61,143$61,925$20,750
Washington State UniversityPullman, WA228$49,327$61,617$20,495
Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA37$57,562$59,883$29,750
The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX17$41,046$59,440$15,500
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD180$47,618$59,413$21,715
Touro UniversityNew York, NY23$49,944$58,798$23,876
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI78$41,553$58,797$20,500
Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA44$44,974$58,680$20,062
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL296$45,638$58,460$16,000
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT118$42,195$57,708$15,000
Troy UniversityTroy, AL15$50,102$57,620n/a
University of OregonEugene, OR262$43,515$57,532$19,500
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA18$49,042$57,430$20,000
California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA85$44,163$57,200$11,000
Dominican University New YorkOrangeburg, NY31$39,014$56,966$25,000
California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA24$36,646$56,363n/a
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY183$37,534$56,257$17,421
University of North TexasDenton, TX25$48,652$56,026$19,500

Largest social sciences, general programs

CollegeGraduates (2023-24)Earnings 1 yr afterEarnings 4 yrs afterMedian debt
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN314$74,534$103,229$15,000
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL296$45,638$58,460$16,000
Portland State UniversityPortland, OR277$43,546$52,562$19,166
University of OregonEugene, OR262$43,515$57,532$19,500
Washington State UniversityPullman, WA228$49,327$61,617$20,495
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY183$37,534$56,257$17,421
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD180$47,618$59,413$21,715
Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH173$45,009$50,491$17,727
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA163$55,717$78,996$25,000
University of South FloridaTampa, FL158$37,791$47,969$20,875
Franklin UniversityColumbus, OH148$45,306n/a$16,668
Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson, NY135$34,496$48,751$25,000
North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC131$39,291$43,859$27,439
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT118$42,195$57,708$15,000
Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE113$45,545$49,304$25,000

Graduate degrees in social sciences, general

Master's: 51 programs, $55,640 first-year earnings; Doctoral: 13 programs. Compare graduate programs.

Social Sciences, General colleges by state

Every college with a social sciences, general major

CollegeGraduates (2023-24)Earnings 1 yr afterEarnings 4 yrs afterMedian debt
Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN314$74,534$103,229$15,000
New York UniversityNew York, NY40$51,431$91,917$21,125
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA163$55,717$78,996$25,000
Manhattan UniversityRiverdale, NY5$61,648$75,745n/a
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA49$56,673$75,301$20,916
Campbell UniversityBuies Creek, NC4n/a$71,052n/a
Towson UniversityTowson, MD22$50,294$68,242$19,500
Whittier CollegeWhittier, CA0$34,137$64,736$14,892
University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo, CA2n/a$64,307n/a
Thomas Edison State UniversityTrenton, NJ78$55,862$63,772$13,821
California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA63$38,828$63,622$15,769
Empire State UniversitySaratoga Springs, NY25$61,143$61,925$20,750
Washington State UniversityPullman, WA228$49,327$61,617$20,495
Southern Oregon UniversityAshland, OR9n/a$61,526n/a
Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA0$57,562$59,883$29,750
Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA37$57,562$59,883$29,750
The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX17$41,046$59,440$15,500
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD180$47,618$59,413$21,715
St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY9$37,436$59,028n/a
Touro UniversityNew York, NY23$49,944$58,798$23,876
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI78$41,553$58,797$20,500
Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA44$44,974$58,680$20,062
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL296$45,638$58,460$16,000
Hope International UniversityFullerton, CA4n/a$58,263n/a
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT118$42,195$57,708$15,000
Troy UniversityTroy, AL15$50,102$57,620n/a
University of OregonEugene, OR262$43,515$57,532$19,500
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA18$49,042$57,430$20,000
California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA85$44,163$57,200$11,000
Dominican University New YorkOrangeburg, NY31$39,014$56,966$25,000
California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA24$36,646$56,363n/a
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY183$37,534$56,257$17,421
University of North TexasDenton, TX25$48,652$56,026$19,500
University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV13$57,045$55,542n/a
California State University-StanislausTurlock, CA50$46,235$55,109$14,120
Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NY69n/a$55,052n/a
University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgGreensburg, PA2n/a$54,069n/a
University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownJohnstown, PA2n/a$54,069n/a
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA4n/a$54,069n/a
Colorado State University GlobalDenver, CO3n/a$53,311n/a
Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN5$43,131$52,907n/a
Portland State UniversityPortland, OR277$43,546$52,562$19,166
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI30$45,150$52,520$23,965
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA42$38,735$52,095$13,000
University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND12n/a$52,063n/a
Western Oregon UniversityMonmouth, OR15$38,109$51,921n/a
Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA8n/a$51,290n/a
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR9n/a$51,005n/a
California State University-ChicoChico, CA57$41,661$50,845$14,342
Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS50$47,165$50,681$25,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH173$45,009$50,491$17,727
Radford UniversityRadford, VA12n/a$49,727$19,867
Boise State UniversityBoise, ID19$41,054$49,683$15,000
Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE113$45,545$49,304$25,000
The University of Arizona Global CampusChandler, AZ9$38,389$48,970n/a
Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville, FL9n/a$48,761n/a
Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson, NY135$34,496$48,751$25,000
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN24$44,618$48,486$15,000
University of South FloridaTampa, FL158$37,791$47,969$20,875
University of West FloridaPensacola, FL23$38,228$47,535$25,000
California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA50n/a$47,348$18,750
University of BridgeportBridgeport, CT1n/a$47,108n/a
University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI19$42,915$47,074$17,875
University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL31n/a$46,388$16,530
University of South Carolina BeaufortBluffton, SC29$38,031$44,888$25,000
Chowan UniversityMurfreesboro, NC2n/a$44,793n/a
Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC22n/a$44,416n/a
North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC131$39,291$43,859$27,439
Shawnee State UniversityPortsmouth, OH10n/a$43,723n/a
West Liberty UniversityWest Liberty, WV3n/a$43,532n/a
Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO17$37,695$42,761n/a
Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA9$39,596$42,582$24,430
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA33n/a$42,038n/a
Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY27n/a$41,924n/a
Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA3n/a$41,811n/a
University of Hawaii-West OahuKapolei, HI100$38,024$41,536$15,530
Bluefield State UniversityBluefield, WV3n/a$40,355n/a
Allen UniversityColumbia, SC19$33,334$38,198$29,257
Rogers State UniversityClaremore, OK41$47,357$36,888$21,875
Belhaven UniversityJackson, MS4$42,112$33,423n/a
University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasSan Juan, PR14n/a$32,433n/a
University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn, MI27$38,437$31,967n/a
University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezMayaguez, PR8n/a$20,952n/a
CUNY Graduate School and University CenterNew York, NY31$62,923n/an/a
University of Houston-DowntownHouston, TX14$47,739n/an/a
University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA23$46,989n/an/a
Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DE106$45,763n/a$20,759
Franklin UniversityColumbus, OH148$45,306n/a$16,668
Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ57$42,642n/a$20,367
Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY10$36,939n/an/a
Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY4$35,129n/an/a
American International CollegeSpringfield, MA1n/an/an/a
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ9n/an/an/a
Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY2n/an/an/a
Athens State UniversityAthens, AL4n/an/an/a
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN7n/an/an/a
Bemidji State UniversityBemidji, MN0n/an/an/a
Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KS2n/an/an/a
Bennington CollegeBennington, VT5n/an/an/a
Berry CollegeMount Berry, GA8n/an/an/a
Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato, MN1n/an/an/a
Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD3n/an/an/a
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA1n/an/an/a
Brown UniversityProvidence, RI69n/an/an/a
Bryn Athyn College of the New ChurchBryn Athyn, PA4n/an/an/a
Caldwell UniversityCaldwell, NJ1n/an/an/a
California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks, CA1n/an/an/a
California State University-FresnoFresno, CA14n/an/an/a
California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA39n/an/a$20,200
Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville, KY3n/an/an/a
Carthage CollegeKenosha, WI3n/an/an/a
Central CollegePella, IA4n/an/an/a
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI6n/an/an/a
Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY3n/an/an/a
Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH12n/an/an/a
Colgate UniversityHamilton, NY1n/an/an/a
College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph, MN3n/an/an/a
Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood, CO3n/an/an/a
Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA2n/an/an/a
Coppin State UniversityBaltimore, MD6n/an/an/a
Corban UniversitySalem, OR0n/an/an/a
Cumberland UniversityLebanon, TN1n/an/an/a
Daemen UniversityAmherst, NY5n/an/an/a
Denison UniversityGranville, OH9n/an/an/a
Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND0n/an/an/a
Doane UniversityCrete, NE2n/an/an/a
Eastern Mennonite UniversityHarrisonburg, VA1n/an/an/a
Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM6n/an/an/a
Evangel UniversitySpringfield, MO4n/an/an/a
Excelsior UniversityAlbany, NY4n/an/an/a
Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL2n/an/an/a
Florida Southern CollegeLakeland, FL0n/an/an/a
Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD6n/an/an/a
Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC68n/an/a$13,500
Governors State UniversityUniversity Park, IL4n/an/an/a
Harding UniversitySearcy, AR1n/an/an/a
Hiram CollegeHiram, OH0n/an/an/a
Hobart William Smith CollegesGeneva, NY1n/an/an/a
Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY0n/an/an/a
Holy Apostles College and SeminaryCromwell, CT4n/an/an/a
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL0n/an/an/a
Indiana University-SoutheastNew Albany, IN1n/an/an/a
Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN1n/an/an/a
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-MetroSan Juan, PR0n/an/an/a
Kentucky State UniversityFrankfort, KY5n/an/an/a
Lake Superior State UniversitySault Ste Marie, MI3n/an/an/a
Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston, ID6n/an/an/a
Lindsey Wilson UniversityColumbia, KY0n/an/an/a
Linfield UniversityMcMinnville, OR1n/an/an/a
Long Island UniversityBrookville, NY0n/an/an/a
Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND1n/an/an/a
Miami University-HamiltonHamilton, OH0n/an/an/a
Miami University-MiddletownMiddletown, OH0n/an/an/a
Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI7n/an/an/a
Mississippi Valley State UniversityItta Bena, MS3n/an/an/a
Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis, MO6n/an/an/a
Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY8n/an/an/a
Mount Marty UniversityYankton, SD5n/an/an/a
Mount Saint Mary CollegeNewburgh, NY22n/an/a$24,155
National UniversitySan Diego, CA6n/an/an/a
Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY3n/an/an/a
New England CollegeHenniker, NH0n/an/an/a
North Central CollegeNaperville, IL18n/an/a$23,121
Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL8n/an/an/a
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH42n/an/a$18,709
Olivet Nazarene UniversityBourbonnais, IL1n/an/an/a
Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach, FL3n/an/an/a
Peru State CollegePeru, NE2n/an/an/a
Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH3n/an/an/a
Providence CollegeProvidence, RI21n/an/an/a
Rice UniversityHouston, TX5n/an/an/a
Roger Williams UniversityBristol, RI8n/an/an/a
Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL1n/an/an/a
Rust CollegeHolly Springs, MS0n/an/an/a
Saint Johns UniversityCollegeville, MN5n/an/an/a
Saint Peter's UniversityJersey City, NJ0n/an/an/a
San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA11n/an/an/a
Simpson UniversityRedding, CA0n/an/an/a
Southern Wesleyan UniversityCentral, SC1n/an/an/a
Southwestern Adventist UniversityKeene, TX2n/an/an/a
Spring Arbor UniversitySpring Arbor, MI1n/an/an/a
St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeSparkill, NY21n/an/an/a
Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL4n/an/an/a
Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ5n/an/an/a
Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA1n/an/an/a
Sul Ross State UniversityAlpine, TX3n/an/an/a
Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PA1n/an/an/a
The College of Saint ScholasticaDuluth, MN2n/an/an/a
The University of Montana-WesternDillon, MT1n/an/an/a
The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX6n/an/an/a
Trinity Washington UniversityWashington, DC15n/an/an/a
United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, CO1n/an/an/a
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo CampusGurabo, PR0n/an/an/a
University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH1n/an/an/a
University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR9n/an/an/a
University of La VerneLa Verne, CA6n/an/an/a
University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME7n/an/an/a
University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA0n/an/an/a
University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI8n/an/an/a
University of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI9n/an/an/a
University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO23n/an/a$17,834
University of MontevalloMontevallo, AL2n/an/an/a
University of Mount Saint VincentBronx, NY2n/an/an/a
University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL8n/an/an/a
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA20n/an/an/a
University of Puerto Rico at CayeyCayey, PR3n/an/an/a
University of Rio GrandeRio Grande, OH0n/an/an/a
University of RochesterRochester, NY4n/an/an/a
University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD24n/an/a$17,750
University of Virginia's College at WiseWise, VA54n/an/an/a
University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI6n/an/an/a
University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI13n/an/an/a
University of Wisconsin-SuperiorSuperior, WI5n/an/an/a
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI13n/an/an/a
University of the PacificStockton, CA3n/an/an/a
Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT1n/an/an/a
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, VA3n/an/an/a
Warner Pacific UniversityPortland, OR3n/an/an/a
Wayne State CollegeWayne, NE1n/an/an/a
West Texas A & M UniversityCanyon, TX2n/an/an/a
Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT1n/an/an/a
Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA1n/an/an/a
Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara, CA3n/an/an/a
Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA1n/an/an/a
William Carey UniversityHattiesburg, MS7n/an/an/a
Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA5n/an/an/a
Wisconsin Lutheran CollegeMilwaukee, WI2n/an/an/a

Frequently asked questions

How much do social sciences, general majors make?

Graduates of the typical social sciences, general program earned a median of $43,854 one year after graduation and $52,562 four years after, in 2024 dollars.

Which college has the highest-paid social sciences, general graduates?

Vanderbilt University, where graduates earned a median of $103,229 four years after graduation (programs with at least 10 graduates).

How many colleges offer a social sciences, general major?

227 colleges on the College Scorecard awarded bachelor's degrees in social sciences, general in 2022-23 or 2023-24.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.