by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 389 U.S. colleges awarded 17,558 degrees and certificates in General Social Sciences. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 53% of graduates. College Factual ranks 166 schools in its 2027 Best General Social Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,530 one year after completing, rising to $52,330 after four years.
General 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general social sciences is a popular field of study, with 17,558 degrees awarded annually. 389 colleges award general social sciences degrees, an average of 45 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,037.
By level, the 17,558 awards include 25 certificates, 9,318 associate degrees, 5,603 bachelor’s degrees, 2,505 master’s degrees and 107 doctorates.
Women earned 65% of general social sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (11,471 of 17,558). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,065) and Hispanic or Latino (5,175), and international students earned 1,375.
College Factual ranks 166 schools in its 2027 Best General Social Sciences Schools ranking, including 67 for associate degrees, 86 for bachelor’s degrees and 20 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general social sciences schools within 35 states. In all, 389 colleges offer general social sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Social Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general social sciences credential is the associate degree: 9,318 of the 17,558 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general social sciences call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Expression.
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.
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How long a general social sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 25 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9,318 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,603 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,505 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 107 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general social sciences, at 53.0%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
19 occupations are related to General Social Sciences, with an average median salary of $92,403; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Science Teacher, Humanities Teacher, Social Science Professor and Lecturer.
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.
The occupation related to general social sciences with the most projected jobs is Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other, at 1,421,275.
| 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% |
General Social Sciences graduates earn a median $37,530 one year after completing their program, $52,330 after four years and $50,237 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,530 |
| 4 years | $52,330 |
| 5 years | $50,237 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general social sciences is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| 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 |
General Social Sciences includes 4 concentrations that together award 17,558 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Social Sciences, General (15,214), Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods (2,317) and Survey Research/Methodology (18). It has 13 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 170,638 degrees a year; the largest are Economics (48,196), Political Science and Government (45,425) and Sociology (30,816). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General | 15,214 |
| Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 2,317 |
| Survey Research/Methodology | 18 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 9 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 48,196 |
| Political Science and Government | 45,425 |
| Sociology | 30,816 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 12,780 |
| Criminology | 10,920 |
| Anthropology | 10,836 |
| Geography and Cartography | 7,459 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,820 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,300 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 574 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
