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 10 schools to find where general social sciences graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general social sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
Manhattan College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools in New York. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of about $107,051 a year early in their careers.
Adelphi University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of about $60,794 a year early in their careers.
New York University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. 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.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. 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.
Touro College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Located in the city of New York, Touro 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 $47,825.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York typically earn about $54,244 annually.
University At Buffalo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,927.
Mercy College earned the #8 position for general social sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy 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 $44,055.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Dominican College Of Blauvelt typically earn about $53,767 annually.
Bard College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard 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 $23,302.
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 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.