Social Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

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 Delaware average $170,310 compared to $71,295 in Utah. Approximately 685,490 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 104 accredited institutions offer Social Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Towson University (TU) (208 graduates), University of California (UCB), Berkeley (163 graduates), and New York University (NYU) (126 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,959 in 2010 to a peak of 2,491 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,942 in 2023-24. This represents a 34% decrease overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

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 685,490 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.