Social Sciences, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Social Sciences, Other.: The DTI for this program is 68.4%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Social Sciences, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $33367) to the average debt ($22814) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Social Sciences, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 68.4%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Social Sciences, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($33367) against the typical student debt ($22814), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Social Sciences, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $33367, with grads carrying about $22814 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.68—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 17458 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Social Sciences, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Social Sciences, Other (CIP 45.0199) is a broad, interdisciplinary academic field focused on understanding how societies function, how people interact within social systems, and how cultural, economic, political, and historical forces shape human behavior. This classification is used for social science programs that do not fit neatly into a single traditional discipline such as sociology, economics, political science, anthropology, or geography. Instead, it allows institutions to offer flexible, integrative, or emerging social science degrees that reflect the complexity of modern societies.
For a degree search site, Social Sciences, Other represents adaptability, critical thinking, and wide applicability. Many of today’s biggest challenges—economic inequality, migration, climate change, political polarization, globalization, and technological disruption—cannot be understood through a single lens. This degree appeals to students who want a big-picture understanding of society, strong analytical skills, and freedom to apply social science thinking across many careers rather than committing early to one narrow discipline.
What Is a Social Sciences, Other Degree?
A Social Sciences, Other degree is an academic program that integrates concepts, theories, and methods from multiple social science disciplines. Programs under this classification are often interdisciplinary by design, allowing students to study society from economic, political, cultural, historical, and behavioral perspectives within one flexible major.
Depending on the institution, this degree may:
- Combine sociology, economics, political science, and anthropology
- Emphasize interdisciplinary social analysis
- Focus on emerging or applied social science areas
- Allow customized concentrations or thematic tracks
- Support broad preparation for graduate or professional study
Rather than training for a single occupation, this degree emphasizes:
- Understanding complex social systems
- Analyzing human behavior in context
- Evaluating social trends and institutions
- Applying research and critical thinking skills
- Communicating insights clearly and persuasively
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Provide maximum flexibility within the social sciences
- Support interdisciplinary and applied learning
- Prepare students for diverse careers or advanced study
- Reflect the interconnected nature of modern social issues
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how societies are organized, how power and resources are distributed, and how culture, policy, and history influence outcomes. You’ll study how individuals and groups interact with institutions such as governments, markets, families, and communities.
The curriculum emphasizes analysis over memorization. Students learn to ask strong questions, interpret data, evaluate arguments, and understand social issues from multiple perspectives rather than relying on single explanations.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Social analysis and critical thinking—understanding complex systems
- Research literacy—interpreting social science studies
- Qualitative and quantitative reasoning—analyzing data and narratives
- Writing and communication—clear, persuasive explanation
- Cultural awareness—understanding diverse perspectives
- Problem definition and evaluation—framing social issues effectively
- Ethical reasoning—considering fairness and impact
- Interdisciplinary thinking—connecting ideas across fields
These skills are highly transferable and valued in many professional settings.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies widely, but may include:
- Social Theory and Analysis: frameworks for understanding society
- Economic and Social Inequality: wealth, class, and opportunity
- Political and Civic Systems: governance and power
- Cultural and Global Studies: identity and globalization
- Population and Demographic Change: migration and aging
- Urban, Rural, or Regional Studies: place-based analysis
- Social Research Methods: surveys, interviews, and data analysis
- Public Policy and Social Issues: applied social science
- Capstone or Interdisciplinary Project: integrative research
Programs often allow students to tailor coursework around themes such as globalization, social justice, or public policy.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Social Sciences, Other degree prepares students for entry-level roles across many sectors and provides a strong foundation for graduate or professional education. Career outcomes depend on how students apply their skills and whether they pursue further training.
Common career paths include:
- Research or Program Assistant: social science or policy research
- Community or Outreach Coordinator: nonprofit or public service roles
- Policy or Data Support Analyst: government or advocacy organizations
- Human Resources or Talent Coordinator: people-focused business roles
- Market or Social Research Assistant: data-driven insights roles
- Journalism, Communications, or Media Roles: social analysis and writing
- Graduate School Path: sociology, public policy, law, education, or related fields
This degree is especially useful for careers that require understanding people and systems.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations that rely on social insight and analysis:
- Government and public agencies
- Nonprofit and community organizations
- Policy research institutes and think tanks
- Education and academic support organizations
- Business, HR, and consulting firms
- Media, communications, and advocacy groups
- International and global organizations
Social science graduates help organizations understand people, trends, and impacts.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary widely by sector, role, and education level.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level social science–related roles: often $38,000–$55,000
- Policy, research, or coordination roles: commonly $50,000–$75,000
- Senior analysts, managers, or specialists: can reach $80,000–$110,000+
Graduate education often increases earning potential and career specialization.
Is This Degree Hard?
Social Sciences, Other is considered moderately challenging academically. While it is less math-intensive than engineering or economics-heavy programs, it requires strong reading, writing, analysis, and abstract thinking. Students must be comfortable engaging with complex ideas and multiple perspectives.
The challenge lies in synthesizing diverse viewpoints into clear, well-supported conclusions.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are curious about how societies work
- Enjoy reading, writing, and discussion
- Want flexibility in career options
- Like connecting ideas across disciplines
- Are considering graduate or professional school
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a social sciences program:
- Take history, government, economics, and social science courses
- Develop strong writing, reading, and critical thinking skills
- Learn to analyze data, charts, and social trends
- Follow current events and global issues
- Participate in debate, research, or civic engagement activities
Social Sciences, Other (CIP 45.0199) is an ideal degree for students who want to understand the forces shaping the modern world. It provides a flexible academic foundation, powerful analytical skills, and broad career relevance across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. For those drawn to big questions, social impact, and intellectual versatility, this degree offers both freedom and long-term value.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor