Social Sciences
Social Sciences, General
Focuses on the general study of human social behavior and social institutions using any of the methodologies common to the social sciences and/or history, or an undifferentiated program of study in the social sciences.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 3 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods
- Focuses on the design of research studies, measurement of variables, data analysis, and formulation of models. Covers experimental, quasi-experimental, and case study methods; historical research; participant observation; questionnaire design; sampling theory; and statistical methods.
- Survey Research/Methodology
- Focuses on survey research design to gather data about behaviors, demographics, opinions, and data analysis to answer complex questions. Covers the analysis of survey data, cross-cultural and multi-population survey methodology, data collection methods, modes of survey analysis, quantitative analysis, questionnaire design, research design, sampling, survey error, and structural equation modeling.
- Social Sciences, Other
- General social sciences not listed above.
Also called Methodology, Measurement, and Statistics
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Managers, All Other
- Median pay
- $141,900
- Hiring change through 2035
- 4.9%
- Job openings a year
- 100,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Median pay
- $72,040
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 63,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingElementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Median pay
- $63,970
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.4%
- Job openings a year
- 87,500
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingMiddle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Median pay
- $64,370
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.4%
- Job openings a year
- 38,800
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career ShrinkingSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $101,110
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 2,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingSocial Science Research Assistants
- Median pay
- $61,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.0%
- Job openings a year
- 4,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing slowlySocial Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
- Median pay
- $72,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 1.6%
- Job openings a year
- 1,300
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastStatisticians
- Median pay
- $105,650
- Hiring change through 2035
- 11.0%
- Job openings a year
- 1,900
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economySociologists
- Median pay
- $106,030
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.8%
- Job openings a year
- 200
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economySociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $84,290
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.2%
- Job openings a year
- 1,000
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingSurvey Researchers
- Median pay
- $69,460
- Hiring change through 2035
- −4.8%
- Job openings a year
- 600
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $32,632 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 63 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.
| College | Degrees a year | Earnings, first year out | Admit rate | Average annual cost after aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University TN | 302 | $56,276 | 6% | $4,000 |
| Portland State University OR | 275 | $31,905 | 91% | $9,000 |
| Washington State University WA | 233 | $37,484 | 85% | $12,000 |
| University of Oregon OR | 227 | $31,960 | 85% | $18,000 |
| Florida State University FL | 219 | $36,112 | 25% | $10,000 |
| Southern New Hampshire University NH | 190 | $33,311 | 96% | $37,000 |
| Harvard University MA | 189 | $42,926 | 3% | $2,000 |
| University of Maryland Global Campus MD | 168 | $36,350 | · | — |
| Bard College NY | 158 | $24,172 | 52% | $28,000 |
| University at Buffalo NY | 141 | $30,016 | 69% | $21,000 |
| North Carolina Central University NC | 122 | $27,129 | 90% | $18,000 |
| University of Utah UT | 114 | $39,139 | 87% | $14,000 |
| University of South Florida FL | 112 | $31,797 | 41% | $9,000 |
| California State University-Monterey Bay CA | 109 | $31,594 | 95% | $12,000 |
| Thomas Edison State University NJ | 88 | $42,906 | · | — |
| Mercy University NY | 87 | $40,285 | 85% | $15,000 |
| Michigan State University MI | 84 | $33,674 | 84% | $17,000 |
| Brown University RI | 75 | — | 5% | $6,000 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus WA | 73 | $47,335 | 43% | $8,000 |
| Georgetown University DC | 65 | — | 13% | $18,000 |
| Ramapo College of New Jersey NJ | 61 | — | 73% | $18,000 |
| Kansas State University KS | 56 | $30,437 | 79% | $15,000 |
| Pennsylvania Western University PA | 55 | $28,609 | 94% | $17,000 |
| California State University-Chico CA | 52 | $26,584 | 94% | $13,000 |
| California State University-Stanislaus CA | 50 | $26,464 | 97% | $6,000 |
| New York University NY | 50 | $40,666 | 9% | $17,000 |
| Central Washington University WA | 50 | $36,440 | 90% | $16,000 |
| Grand Valley State University MI | 45 | $39,437 | 95% | $13,000 |
| San Diego State University CA | 41 | $26,805 | 34% | $13,000 |
| California State University-San Marcos CA | 39 | $33,589 | 96% | $9,000 |
| Troy University AL | 36 | $31,866 | 93% | $14,000 |
| Ohio State University-Main Campus OH | 31 | — | 51% | $10,000 |
| University of West Florida FL | 27 | $34,328 | 57% | $8,000 |
| University of Central Florida FL | 26 | — | 40% | $10,000 |
| California State University-Fullerton CA | 25 | — | 87% | $6,000 |
| Boise State University ID | 24 | $27,337 | 84% | $21,000 |
| Western Kentucky University KY | 24 | $28,785 | 97% | $10,000 |
| University of Houston-Downtown TX | 23 | $25,763 | 91% | $11,000 |
| California State University-Sacramento CA | 21 | $31,259 | 94% | $9,000 |
| University of North Texas TX | 20 | $31,523 | 72% | $14,000 |