General
General Social Sciences
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for General Social Sciences.
Entry Level Salary
$37,756
Median Salary
$74,333
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
31.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,973,320
Entry (Early)
$37,756
Median (Prime)
$74,333
High (Prime)
$77,713
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-115k
+197k
+225k
$25k / yr
-205k
+107k
+135k
$50k / yr
-295k
+17k
+45k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
27
$25k / yr
Never
37
35
$50k / yr
Never
56
49
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-189%
99%
124%
$50k / yr
-136%
8%
21%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate34.6%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
6.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,836
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,170|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Management occupations
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Secondary school teachers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$63,516
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$69,781|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Social workers, all other
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,823
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Education and childcare administrators
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$61,452
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,542|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Postsecondary teachers
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$27,012
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,530|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,867
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,689|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Top executives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$91,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$140,000|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Customer service representatives
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$16,021
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$43,041|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| social sciences, general. | Undergrad Certificate | 11 | Data N/A |
| social sciences, general. | Associate's Degree | 120 | $29,470 - $58,928 |
| social sciences, general. | Bachelor's Degree | 256 | $20,952 - $103,229 |
| social sciences, general. | Master's Degree | 42 | $51,841 - $128,590 |
| social sciences, general. | Doctoral Degree | 4 | Data N/A |
| social sciences, general. | Graduate Certificate | 12 | Data N/A |