Social Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding human behavior, societal structures, and the complex dynamics that shape communities, institutions, and cultures across time and space. This broad academic domain equips students with analytical tools to investigate patterns in social organization, power relations, economic systems, and cultural expression.
- Anthropology: The study of human societies and cultures, including their development, social practices, languages, and material remains, across diverse historical and geographical contexts.
- Political Science: An exploration of political systems, governance structures, public policies, international relations, and the distribution of power within and between nations.
- Sociology: A critical examination of social institutions, group behavior, social inequality, identity formation, and the ways in which social forces influence individual and collective life.
- Economics: The analysis of how individuals, organizations, and societies allocate limited resources, make decisions, and interact within markets and broader economic systems.
- Psychology: The scientific study of human thought processes, emotions, behavior, and mental health, with a focus on individual and group psychological functioning.
- Geography: The investigation of Earth’s landscapes, environments, populations, and spatial relationships, integrating physical and human dimensions to understand regional patterns and global change.
- History: A deep inquiry into past events, civilizations, and transformations, emphasizing context, causality, and the interpretation of historical narratives across time periods and cultures.
Social Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Social Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Social Sciences degrees, including Managers, All Other, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other and Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 3,771,710 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other 25-1069 | $75,040 | $45,280 - $176,350 | 17,540 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2021 | $62,340 | $46,440 - $102,010 | 1,393,310 | N/A |
Social Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $64,444 in Tennessee to $112,822 in California—a 75% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 3,771,710 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Social Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 2 institutions offering Social Sciences programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Social Sciences is found at University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (2 graduates), and Whitworth University (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Social Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Social Sciences degree?
Salaries for Social Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other earn around $100,340. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $112,822 compared to $64,444 in Tennessee. Approximately 3,771,710 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Social Sciences programs?
Currently 2 accredited institutions offer Social Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (2 graduates), Whitworth University (1 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
What career paths are available with a Social Sciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other, and Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 3,771,710 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Social Sciences field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Political Science and Government
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in political philosophy, political theory, comparative government...
American Government and Politics
A program that focuses on the systematic study of United States political institutions and behavior. Includes instruction in American political theory, political parties...
Political Economy
A program that focuses on the interaction between politics and economics in the formation of public policy. Includes instruction in microeconomics; macroeconomics; political...
Political Science and Government
Any instructional program in political science and government not listed above.
Sociology
A program that focuses on the systematic study of human social institutions and social relationships. Includes instruction in social theory, sociological research methods,...
Applied and Public Sociology
A program that focuses on the application of sociological theory, methods, skills, and research to resolve particular issues in real-world settings. Includes instruction...