Compare 14 Social Sciences, General. programs in California. Average earnings: $48,989.
Social Sciences, General programs produce graduates earning between $35,496 and $97,257—a $62K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 14 ranked programs in California, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
UC Berkeley's Social Sciences program leads with graduates earning $97,257, nearly double the state average of $48,989. The gap illustrates how program-level factors drive outcomes—Berkeley's 238-graduate cohort demonstrates that strong programs can operate at scale while maintaining quality.
Highest program earnings: $97,257
Strong outcomes with 63.3% acceptance
2.4% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
8.4% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $97,257 | 238 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Good | |
| #2 | $52,438 | 31 | $17,500 | Good | $18,275 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Whittier CollegePrivate | $52,209 | 30 | $24,937 | Good | $36,148 | High |
| #4 | $49,984 | 31 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $48,240 | 26 | $18,000 | Good | $31,803 | High | |
| #6 | $45,978 | 63 | $13,540 | Excellent | $12,700 | Manageable | |
| #7 | University Of La VernePrivate | $44,942 | 12 | $23,500 | Manageable | $27,977 | High |
| #8 | $44,687 | 29 | $15,000 | Good | $22,665 | High | |
| #9 | $44,485 | 84 | $12,750 | Excellent | $16,836 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $43,710 | 21 | $17,350 | Good | $18,031 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $42,531 | 11 | $14,715 | Good | $12,000 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $42,136 | 43 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | High | |
| #13 | $41,749 | 37 | $18,500 | Manageable | $35,000 | High | |
| #14 | $35,496 | 55 | $15,000 | Manageable | $25,565 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
