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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their general social sciences graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general social sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Liberty University, our #1 for general social sciences graduate salaries in Virginia. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Liberty University earn a median of about $52,576 a year early in their careers.
Radford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. Early-career general social sciences graduates from Radford University make a median of around $45,612 per year.
Northern Virginia Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of about $48,149 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Tidewater Community College earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the general social sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,694.
Thomas Nelson Community College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a public institution. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College typically earn about $36,485 annually.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #6 spot for general social sciences salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a public institution. General Social Sciences graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of about $39,391 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Western Community College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for general social sciences. Virginia Western Community College is a public school located in the city of Roanoke. After graduating, general social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College typically earn about $35,551 annually.
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 · 7 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.