Master’s Degrees in Social Sciences
Education Levels of Social Sciences Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 19,295 people earned their master's degree in social sciences. This earns it the #9 spot on the list of the most popular master's degree programs in the nation.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in social sciences at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 140,768 |
| Associate Degree | 22,137 |
| Master’s Degree | 19,295 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 3,723 |
| Basic Certificate | 2,514 |
| Graduate Certificate | 2,108 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 247 |
Earnings of Social Sciences Majors With Master’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a master's degree in social sciences is $61,063. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $52,115 to a high of $72,015.
Student Debt
We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for social sciences students who are master's degree holders.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their master's degree in social sciences. About 51.9% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 9,280 |
| Women | 10,015 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of social sciences master’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1,050 |
| Black or African American | 1,231 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,978 |
| White | 8,134 |
| International Students | 5,668 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 1,234 |
Most Popular Social Sciences Programs for Master’s Degrees
There are 466 colleges that offer a master’s degree in social sciences. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
The most popular school in the United States for social sciences students seekinga master's degree is Johns Hopkins University. Each year, around 28,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $62,840 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $62,840 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 946 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Johns Hopkins. Around 16% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 45% were women. Data shows that Johns Hopkins graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
George Washington University comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social sciences. Roughly 27,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,508 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $35,100 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 649 people received their master's degree in social sciences from GWU. Around 26% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 53% were women. Data shows that GWU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
Georgetown University comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social sciences. Roughly 19,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,896 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $58,848 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 437 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Georgetown. Around 23% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 52% were women. Data shows that Georgetown graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
Columbia University in the City of New York is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Roughly 30,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,526 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,576 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 421 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Columbia. About 63% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
The 5th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is Tufts University. Each year, around 12,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,358 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $48,324 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 353 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Tufts. Of these students, 54% were women and 14% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in social sciences at Tufts University make a median salary of 61,063.
The 6th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is American University. Roughly 14,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $55,724 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $32,224 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 349 people received their master's degree in social sciences from The American University. Of these students, 57% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. American University social sciences graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,063.
University of Wisconsin - Madison comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social sciences. Roughly 44,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,644 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,728 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 327 people received their master's degree in social sciences from UW - Madison. About 41% of this group were women, and 8% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. University of Wisconsin - Madison social sciences graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,063.
The 8th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Chicago. Roughly 17,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,801 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $65,145 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 317 people received their master's degree in social sciences from UChicago. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 55% were women. Data shows that UChicago graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
The 9th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is New York University. Each year, around 52,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $60,438 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $38,826 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 301 people received their master's degree in social sciences from NYU. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 55% were women. Those who complete their master's degree in social sciences at New York University make a median salary of 61,063.
The 10th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is University of Southern California. Each year, around 46,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $66,640 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $66,640 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 252 people received their master's degree in social sciences from USC. Of these students, 56% were women and 17% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that USC graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
Harvard University is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Roughly 30,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,269 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $54,032 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 218 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Harvard. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 55% were women. Data shows that Harvard graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
Boston University comes in at #12 on our list of the most popular colleges offering master's degrees in social sciences. Roughly 32,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $63,798 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $63,798 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 216 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Boston U. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 54% were women. Boston University social sciences graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,063.
The 13th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is Texas A&M University - College Station. Each year, around 70,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $9,003 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $6,885 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 200 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Texas A&M College Station. Around 25% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 43% were women. Data shows that Texas A&M College Station graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
The 14th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is Naval Postgraduate School. Each year, around 2,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the most recent year for which we have data, 193 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Naval Postgraduate School. Of these students, 13% were women and 19% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that Naval Postgraduate School graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
Brandeis University is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Roughly 5,400 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $64,348 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $61,458 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 176 people received their master's degree in social sciences from Brandeis. About 52% of this group were women, and 14% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Brandeis graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
George Mason University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Each year, around 38,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $10,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,726 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 172 people received their master's degree in social sciences from GMU. Of these students, 38% were women and 21% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. George Mason University social sciences graduates who receive their master's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $61,063.
The 17th most popular school in the country for social sciences majors who are seeking their master's degree is Arizona State University - Skysong. Each year, around 53,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,170 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 157 people received their master's degree in social sciences from ASU - Skysong. About 52% of this group were women, and 32% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that ASU - Skysong graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
The Graduate Center, CUNY is the 18th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Roughly 9,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $6,930 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $9,930 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 156 people received their master's degree in social sciences from The Graduate Center. Of these students, 56% were women and 43% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their master's degree in social sciences at The Graduate Center, CUNY make a median salary of 61,063.
University of California - San Diego is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Each year, around 39,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 149 people received their master's degree in social sciences from UCSD. Around 34% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 50% were women. Data shows that UCSD graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
The University of Texas at Austin is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a master's degree in social sciences. Each year, around 50,400 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,678 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,012 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 142 people received their master's degree in social sciences from UT Austin. Of these students, 40% were women and 25% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that UT Austin graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $61,063.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to social sciences that offer master’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 13,310 |
| Communication & Journalism | 12,991 |
| English Language & Literature | 8,374 |
| History | 3,626 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 3,059 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Image Credit: By AndrГ© KГјnzelmann under License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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