Social Sciences
Quick Facts: Social Sciences Training
Where it's offered
Social Sciences programs are offered at 21 schools across 7 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $26,525/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship pathway related to Social Sciences — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 21 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 49/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Social Sciences Graduates Do
Your understanding of human behavior can lead directly into management. In this common path, you’ll spend your days in an office leading project teams, using software like Asana to track progress, and analyzing performance data to solve operational problems. Alternatively, you might pursue a career in education, where you’ll be in a classroom guiding students through a history lesson, creating lesson plans, and using platforms like Canvas to communicate with students and parents.
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Many graduates begin as teachers or research assistants, building foundational experience. With a few years of proven success, you can advance into leadership roles like a school principal or a senior project manager overseeing larger teams and budgets. While starting salaries are often modest, experienced managers and specialists in high-growth fields like statistics can earn well over six figures. AI tools might help you analyze data or draft reports, but the core of your work—mentoring an employee or inspiring a classroom—relies on distinctly human skills of judgment and empathy.
You may also want to compare Social Sciences with Sociology, Economics, and Social Sciences Studies on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 1 registered apprenticeship occupation related to Social Sciences. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB |
Competency | Competency | $100K – $136,550 – $179K | 4.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Social Sciences Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Social Sciences is offered at 21 schools across 7 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Social Sciences Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Social Sciences programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 21 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Social Sciences Programs
Schools where Social Sciences graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Roxbury Community College | $37,941/yr | 64 |
| Tulsa Community College | $34,203/yr | 66 |
| Merced College | $34,168/yr | 77 |
| Frederick Community College | $32,749/yr | 64 |
| Sierra College | $30,103/yr | 73 |
| Pasadena City College | $29,847/yr | 73 |
| Tidewater Community College | $29,425/yr | 58 |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | $27,691/yr | 73 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | $27,600/yr | 55 |
| Butte College | $26,482/yr | 71 |
Best ROI for Social Sciences
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Social Sciences.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District | 200.9x | $20,084/yr | 65 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District | 189.0x | $24,052/yr | 70 |
| Santa Rosa Junior College | 164.5x | $27,691/yr | 73 |
| East Los Angeles College | 159.0x | $22,947/yr | 68 |
| Butte College | 147.2x | $26,482/yr | 71 |
| Merced College | 141.7x | $34,168/yr | 77 |
| Sierra College | 129.2x | $30,103/yr | 73 |
| Pasadena City College | 125.5x | $29,847/yr | 73 |
| Barstow Community College | 110.7x | $22,398/yr | 66 |
| Ohlone College | 92.8x | $22,545/yr | 65 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Social Sciences degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.