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. The highest-paying schools turn a general social sciences degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general social sciences schools.
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If you want to know which schools send general social sciences graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Manhattan College, our #1 for general social sciences graduate salaries in the Middle Atlantic Region. Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. 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 Adelphi University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Adelphi University typically earn about $60,794 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in general social sciences will find them at New York University, which ranked #3. Located 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.
Strong graduate earnings at Saint Thomas Aquinas College earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Saint Thomas Aquinas College make a median of around $56,918 per year.
Caldwell College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Caldwell College earn a median of about $55,774 a year early in their careers.
Thomas Edison State College came in at #6 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Trenton, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. 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 came in at #7 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Maryland University College is a public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Early-career general social sciences graduates from University Of Maryland University College make a median of around $53,628 per year.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg came in at #8 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,161.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #9 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown typically earn about $43,161 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #10 spot for general social sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus make a median of around $43,161 per year.
Touro College earned the #11 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,825.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #12 spot for general social sciences salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College typically earn about $33,998 annually.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Ramapo College Of New Jersey make a median of around $43,047 per year.
Saint Josephs College New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Saint Josephs College New York make a median of around $54,244 per year.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of about $40,791 a year early in their careers.
Frederick Community College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Frederick Community College make a median of around $32,749 per year.
University At Buffalo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of about $56,927 a year early in their careers.
Mercy College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Mercy College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Mercy College make a median of around $44,055 per year.
Brookdale Community College placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of about $39,418 a year early in their careers.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt came in at #20 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,767.
Towson University came in at #21 for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,934.
Essex County College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Essex County College is a public school located in the city of Newark. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Essex County College make a median of around $36,237 per year.
Bard College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Bard College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Bard College typically earn about $23,302 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 23 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.