Social Sciences programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $18,148 to $119,185 across 593 ranked institutions. The median earnings of $52,644 represent a $7,581 premium above national averages, demonstrating how strong program selection in liberal arts disciplines directly impacts long-term financial outcomes and research skills development.
Leading the list is Duke University, achieving the highest program earnings at $119,185, followed by University Of Chicago at $111,345 and Massachusetts Institute Of Technology at $110,878. These top-tier institutions demonstrate exceptional program outcomes that justify their positioning, with graduates commanding median earnings nearly double the national average for social sciences majors.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #41 | New York UniversityPrivate | New York, NY | $75,498 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $16,816 | 9.4% | 88.5% |
| #42 | Trinity CollegePrivate | Hartford, CT | $75,449 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $19,032 | 33.5% | 82.8% |
| #43 | Charlottesville, VA | $75,223 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $10,123 | 16.9% | 95.3% | |
| #44 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | Winston-Salem, NC | $75,043 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $11,554 | 21.6% | 90.9% |
| #45 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | Bethlehem, PA | $75,005 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $15,440 | 29.3% | 89.2% |
| #46 | Wellesley CollegePrivate | Wellesley, MA | $74,434 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $5,695 | 13.9% | 91.2% |
| #47 | Ann Arbor, MI | $74,312 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $4,926 | 17.9% | 93.2% | |
| #48 | Lafayette CollegePrivate | Easton, PA | $73,873 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $11,903 | 31.5% | 88.0% |
| #49 | Dallas, TX | $73,815 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $30,165 | 61.2% | 83.3% | |
| #50 | Connecticut CollegePrivate | New London, CT | $73,351 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $13,666 | 38.3% | 83.8% |
| #51 | Brandeis UniversityPrivate | Waltham, MA | $73,200 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $12,366 | 35.3% | 86.1% |
| #52 | Bucknell UniversityPrivate | Lewisburg, PA | $72,989 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $21,406 | 32.0% | 86.2% |
| #53 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Houston, TX | $72,705 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $3,221 | 7.9% | 95.7% |
| #54 | Gettysburg CollegePrivate | Gettysburg, PA | $72,611 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $14,666 | 47.5% | 82.7% |
| #55 | University Of DallasPrivate | Irving, TX | $72,098 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $14,372 | 54.2% | 68.0% |
| #56 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | Philadelphia, PA | $71,786 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $27,737 | 77.5% | 77.1% |
| #57 | Providence CollegePrivate | Providence, RI | $71,384 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $26,070 | 48.7% | 87.8% |
| #58 | Barnard CollegePrivate | New York, NY | $71,286 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $14,486 | 8.0% | 92.9% |
| #59 | University Of RichmondPrivate | University Of Richmond, VA | $70,608 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $11,026 | 23.3% | 87.8% |
| #60 | Bowdoin CollegePrivate | Brunswick, ME | $70,550 Median Social Sciences Earnings | $3,275 | 8.0% | 95.6% |