Most Affordable Online Social Sciences Programs

You may have heard of the arts, humanities, and STEM as broad categories for courses of academic study. Similarly, the social sciences are a broad range of academic disciplines including political science, economics, anthropology, sociology, and more. The term “social science” refers to any discipline that deals with the social and cultural aspects of human behavior. Social science is a wide-ranging field that can open doors to a variety of different careers.

A bachelor’s in a social science field typically takes around four years to complete at a traditional on-campus program. With online degree programs becoming increasingly popular, many well-respected schools have begun offering online bachelor’s degree programs in the social sciences.

Students may prefer to do their social science degree online due to personal convenience, lower costs, or any number of other reasons. If you’re interested in an online social science degree, the next step is finding the right program for you.

Many students are interested in online undergraduate programs as a way to save money. The actual cost per credit for a reputable online degree program is often comparable to an in-person university. However, tuition is a cost to consider when deciding between an online and on-campus degree program.

Online students generally save money on transportation and on-campus fees. Also, online programs are often more flexible, allowing students to pursue full- or part-time jobs while they study.

In an online bachelor’s program in the social sciences, students take a variety of classes, but likely pick a more focused major within the broader category of “social sciences,” such as political science or sociology. The program typically lasts four years, although some online programs offer part-time options where students can take fewer credits per term over a longer amount of time.

Classes typically include lectures and smaller group discussions. In addition to traditional final exams, most sociology courses ask students to complete final research projects or write essays. Some social science classes expect students to deliver presentations as part of their final grade. Social science classes are often best suited to students with strong interpersonal skills, who are good written communicators.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Sociology is the study of human behavior. An introduction to sociology course focuses on the different types of sociology, how it’s used in different contexts, and how to conduct sociology research.

Comparative politics teaches about different systems of government and how they work. This can include comparing state and local governments, how different countries’ governments compare to each other, and more.

Economics deals with money, trade, and how value works in business contexts. Economics courses are a mixture of math, politics, and social theory. An introductory course gives students a broad overview of the field.

Anthropology literally means the study of people. An introductory anthropology course focuses on different communities and ways of living across the world throughout history, and how they impact the people in them.

People commit crimes for many reasons. A criminal psychology course covers the complex physical, mental, and social factors that could lead someone to do something illegal.

The career outlook for social science graduates is both bright and varied. Because social sciences is such a varied field, there are many different types of careers a graduate may be interested in and qualified to pursue. This may be why social sciences are some of the most popular college majors.

Further, the demand for social science graduates is steadily growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), projects life, physical, and social science occupations will grow 8% between 2020 and 2030, resulting in the creation of 113,800 new jobs. Professionals in these positions earned a median annual salary of $45,760 in May 2021, according to the organization.

What an individual social science graduate earns depends on what kind of job they choose to pursue, as some careers have higher salary outlooks than others.

Education is a popular and fulfilling career for social science graduates, and one in high demand across the country. After you earn your bachelor’s, you may enjoy teaching government, psychology, social studies, economics, or other related fields at the high school level.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $61,820

If you’re interested in politics and have strong organizational skills, you may enjoy working as a legislative assistant for a state, national, or local government official. In this job, professionals help implement policy that impacts their constituency and, potentially, people across the country.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $39,958

If you’re interested in economics and have a good head for mathematics, you might enjoy a career as a business analyst. Business analysts work with corporate data and examine trends over time within a business or the broader field to help the company develop better strategies moving forward.

Average Annual Salary (July 2022): $63,650

Companies need to know what their customers are interested in and value, which is where market researchers come in. Market researchers develop surveys and focus groups and analyze them to learn more about customer preferences and behavior so companies can adjust their strategies.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $63,920

If you have good people skills and a passion for what your company produces, you might be a good fit to be a sales manager. Sales managers are on the upper level of a sales team, often taking meetings with large potential clients, explaining complex potential transactions, and managing junior employees.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $127,490

Many students with bachelor’s degrees in the social sciences go on to pursue postgraduate degrees. While there are many jobs and careers social science graduates can pursue with only a bachelor’s, many students enroll in master’s programs in their major field for personal fulfillment or for higher-level job opportunities.

Law school is also a popular option for social science graduates. A career in law makes use of many of the relevant skills students learn in a social science degree program.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form provided by the U.S. government that allows students to apply for grants, subsidized loans, work-study, and more. Check the FAFSA deadline carefully when you’re looking to pay for school.

Student loans are available through the U.S. government and private entities like banks. Be sure to look into repayment options, interest rates, and other terms before you take out a loan.

Depending on both your school and personal circumstances, grants and scholarships may be available for your online bachelor’s degree program. Be sure to find out if there are any school-specific or private grants you qualify for, and apply before the start of the term.

Many students qualify for work-study jobs and programs by filing the FAFSA. These programs place students in jobs on campus, or, in the case of online programs, remotely to help offset the course of the program.

Private organizations and many colleges and online schools offer scholarships based on need and merit. Some scholarships are not widely advertised, and you may qualify for one, so be sure to do your research before completing all your scholarship applications.

Rankings compiled by the the BestColleges Ranking Team

Whether or not a bachelor’s in social science, either from an in-person university or online, is worth it for you is a personal decision. Students considering an online bachelor’s in social science need to consider a wide variety of factors, including their current job situation, the cost of the program, and their career aspirations, before making the decision.

If a potential student wants to pursue a career in a social science-related field, a bachelor’s in social science is likely worth it. However, for students whose career aspirations do not require a degree, a bachelor’s in social science may not be the right fit.

There is a wide range of positions you can pursue with a bachelor’s in a social science field. Some of the most popular career paths for social science graduates include education, business and management, finance, and law.

Some social science graduates continue their education in law school, a master’s program related to their undergraduate degree, a professional master’s like a master of social work (MSW), or any number of other programs. However, there are many jobs, particularly in business and finance, where you can begin working directly after undergrad.

There are a wide variety of jobs and career paths where social science majors are in demand.

A background in the social sciences and a social science bachelor’s degree is highly in demand for a variety of careers. According to the BLS, social science professionals include teachers, professors, researchers, lawyers, marketing associates, and more. The organization projects social science occupations will grow 8% between 2020 and 2030.

Social science graduates can make high salaries depending on their career path, level of education, and years of experience. Social science graduates who go into teaching are likely to earn less than those who go into business and finance or go to law school, for example.

Many of the highest-paying career paths for social science bachelor’s graduates require postgraduate degrees. Lawyers, for example, must attend law school, a three-year commitment. Some careers in business and finance may require applicants to possess a master’s in business administration (MBA).

However, for those who wish to begin their careers immediately after getting their bachelor’s degrees, some of the highest-paying career options include business, management, and finance. Many workers in these fields earn six-figure salaries.

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