by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Social Sciences involves the study of Social Sciences. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Systematic Study Of Social Systems, Social Institutions, And Social Behavior. Read on to learn the essential details every social sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering social sciences programs.
Nationwide, social sciences is a popular field of study, with 185,019 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Social Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 1,552 schools to determine the best overall colleges for social sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of social sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Social Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations social sciences graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a social sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a social sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several social sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 246 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 22,814 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 134,637 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 23,444 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3,734 |
People currently working in careers related to social sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 30.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.2% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.8% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in social sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in social sciences opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to social sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to social sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,638,816 | 11.6% |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 830,747 | 2.9% |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | 730,797 | 12.0% |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 671,367 | 10.3% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of social sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,225 |
| 4 years | $55,597 |
| 5 years | $64,933 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for social sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers social sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $124,518 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
With 1,552 different social sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased social sciences school rankings to help you.
Students interested in social sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,510 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 13,035 |
| Anthropology | 10,768 |
| Criminology | 10,365 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,105 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,942 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,343 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 496 |
| Archeology | 393 |
| Demography | 112 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
