by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the early-career earnings of their general social sciences graduates.
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Below are the schools whose general social sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the top school for general social sciences graduate earnings in the United States. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $90,203 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $82,655 per year.
Manhattan College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Manhattan College make a median of around $107,051 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general social sciences will find them at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,739.
Strong graduate earnings at Harvard University earned it the #5 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of about $76,293 a year early in their careers.
Adelphi University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. General Social Sciences graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of about $60,794 a year early in their careers.
New York University landed the #7 spot for general social sciences salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from New York University typically earn about $74,002 annually.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #8 spot for general social sciences salaries this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,005.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College typically earn about $56,918 annually.
Campbell University came in at #10 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Campbell University earn a median of about $64,273 a year early in their careers.
Caldwell College earned the #11 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,774.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $54,668 a year early in their careers.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #13 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of about $52,106 a year early in their careers.
Thomas Edison State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Thomas Edison State College is a public school located in the city of Trenton. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Thomas Edison State College make a median of around $62,477 per year.
University Of Maryland University College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from University Of Maryland University College make a median of around $53,628 per year.
Upper Iowa University came in at #16 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Upper Iowa University make a median of around $43,032 per year.
Michigan State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $57,882 annually.
Washington State University came in at #18 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Washington State University make a median of around $59,442 per year.
Central Washington University came in at #19 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $60,508 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #20 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school located in the city of Edinburg. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American typically earn about $52,615 annually.
Colorado State University Global Campus earned the #21 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,776.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Southern New Hampshire University make a median of around $57,763 per year.
University Of Oregon earned the #23 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from University Of Oregon make a median of around $63,907 per year.
California State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,814.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #25 spot for general social sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from University Of Michigan Dearborn make a median of around $47,049 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid general social sciences ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid General Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general social sciences graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 81 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.