by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you want to better understand human problems and the world that we live in? The field of Social Sciences incorporates classes from a variety of disciplines in the liberal arts field allowing you to study the world from a variety of cultural, intellectual, and social perspectives.
One popular major in this field is Economics which involves the study of the distribution of goods and services. If you are more interested in criminal behavior, Criminology allows you to learn about the causes of crime, behavior of criminals, and the social justice system that we have in place today. More science and math minded students might prefer to study Geography and Cartography to learn about Earth's physical structures as well as the science of map-making. Major in Archeology in order to discover ancient civilizations of the past, while a major in International Relations and National Security focuses more on current affairs and national security issues .
A 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.
This field of study requires a student who comfortable with abstract thought and theory and interested in applying learned methods to real-life situations. They will need to make connections between various subjects and will spend a lot of time researching papers and analyzing data. Creativity and problem solving skills will lead to success.
Communication skills are important in this field, as it will involve a lot of written reports and well as person-to-person interaction. Classes will include discussion and debate on controversial subjects. Students should be confident in their abilities to defend their opinions, while at the same time keep an open mind.
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.*
Majoring in the field of Social Sciences will prepare you to work in many different occupations. Skills learned from your undergraduate degree can be applied to many different jobs and are also a good basis for furthering your education with an advanced degree in the social sciences, business or law.
Many graduates find work in law enforcement, homeland security, investigation, archeological consulting firms, community service and health services. Grads can also work in business administration, or work for the government as an economist, geographer or cartographer. Explore your options and choose a field that appeals the most to you. Previous work experience or an advanced degree will help you gain the position you desire.
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.
