by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Social Sciences is multidisciplinary, liberal arts major that provides a broad understanding of the world we live in. Classes involve the exploration of the intellectual, social, and cultural world.
Areas of study will include psychology, sociology, gerontology, anthropology behavioral science, history, statistics, and economics. You will also learn about how to design research, measure variables, analyze formulas, and formulate models. Students may have the opportunity to choose a concentration in Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods.
A degree in General Social Sciences involves the study of Social Sciences, General. Continue reading for the important information every general social sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general social sciences programs.
In the U.S., general social sciences is a popular field of study, with 17,510 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Social Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 376 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general social sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general social sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Social Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general social sciences graduates commonly enter.
Because the classes in this major pull from many different subjects, students should be flexible and have the ability to make connections across subjects. Time management and organization will help you complete assignments and projects by their deadlines. Communication skills are essential in this major. You will spend a lot of time writing papers, giving presentations and participating in class discussions.
Creativity and the ability to think up new answers to old problems is important. Be ready to take non-traditional paths to find an answer. Critical judgment and analytical skills will be important as you work in labs and research. You need to be able to use and understand the data you find and make conclusions about it.
Skills emphasized by a general social sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general social sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9,566 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,657 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,228 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 50 |
People currently working in careers related to general social sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.0% |
| Master’s degree | 15.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 2.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.7% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general social sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Social Sciences will lead you to many different career paths. The skills, interests, and values you gain while in college will prepare you to work in careers where social sciences issues are important. You will be prepared to work in government, health services, law enforcement, business administration, elder care, community service, and human resources. You will also be able to easily transfer your skills to graduate studies in the social sciences, or even programs in law, business, or counseling.
A degree in general social sciences can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general social sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general social sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary | 730,797 | 12.0% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 692,039 | -1.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general social sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,528 |
| 4 years | $43,428 |
| 5 years | $50,073 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general social sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general social sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
With 376 different general social sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general social sciences school rankings to help you.
Those considering general social sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General | 15,565 |
| Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 1,929 |
| Survey Research/Methodology | 13 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 3 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
