by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 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.
For graduate earnings in general social sciences, no school beat Caldwell College this year. 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 produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set 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.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #3 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.
Students chasing top earnings in general social sciences will find them at Brookdale Community College, which ranked #4. 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.
Essex County College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Essex County College earn a median of about $36,237 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 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.