From anthropology and archaeology to economics and geography, to politics, sociology, and criminology, the social sciences cover a spectrum of fields concerned with human societies and the relationships of the individuals within them.

There are fields of study concerned with societies of the past and present and with our interactions and relationships with one another in families, groups, and cultures. There are programs that focus on the human factors and behaviors that lead to crime, the global economy and how it works, and the relationship between people and the land and the spaces in which we live and work. Other programs examine the theory and practice of government and politics, international relations, the development of cities, and the social structure and characteristics of rural areas. Without question, the social sciences is as popular a discipline as it is diverse.

Pro Tip
Still unsure if a degree in social sciences is your calling? Take the career test

With so many categories within social sciences programs, it can be a bit daunting when trying to decide which best fits your interests or career aspirations. To help you decipher the diversity, we're breaking down 10 popular options below:

  • Social Science

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $62k

    Social Science
  • Anthropology

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $52k

    Anthropology
  • Archaeology

    Satisfaction:

    N/A

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $60k

    Archaeology
  • Criminology

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $50k

    Criminology
  • Economics

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $103k

    Economics
  • Geography

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $65k

    Geography
  • International Relations

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $72k

    International Relations
  • Political Science

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $74k

    Political Science
  • Sociology

    Satisfaction:

    High

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $54k

    Sociology
  • Urban Studies

    Satisfaction:

    N/A

    Avg Grad Salary:

    $64k

    Urban Studies