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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find where general social sciences graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general social sciences graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Michigan State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid general social sciences graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in general social sciences will find them at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #2. Set 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.
A rank of #3 makes Grand Valley State University one of the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Grand Valley State University make a median of around $50,160 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in general social sciences will find them at University Of Wisconsin River Falls, which ranked #4. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public school located in the town of River Falls. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,357.
A rank of #5 makes Shawnee State University one of the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a public institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Shawnee State University typically earn about $37,841 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout typically earn about $27,873 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general social sciences graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 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.