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2023 Best Online Social Science Degrees

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 4/3/2023
2023 Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Social Sciences Badge

Social science is the study of how we interact with one another within society and includes the study of disciplines such as anthropology, political science, psychology, and economics. An online bachelor's degree in social sciences offers a well-rounded exploration of these topics for students interested in careers that involve the public, such as law, government, education, and public relations. Studying this major online can provide flexibility and convenience for students eager to finish their education while balancing other obligations. 

Below, we've ranked our list of the best programs by Salary Score so you can set realistic expectations about future earnings and help mitigate excessive student debt. View our methodology for more details about our list, or learn more about OnlineU.

2023 Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in Social Sciences Badge
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Online Social Sciences Bachelor's Degrees You May Be Interested In


2023 Best Online Social Science Degrees

RankSchool Salary Score Median Starting Salary
# 1 #1 Thomas Edison State University 93 93 $42,906
# 2 #2 University of North Dakota 82 $39,028
# 3 #3 SUNY Empire State University 79 $38,352
# 4 #4 Washington State University 75 $37,484
# 5 #5 Upper Iowa University 75 $37,440
# 6 #6 Southeast Missouri State University 73 $37,090
# 7 #7 Central Washington University 70 $36,440
# 8 #8 Campbell University 69 $36,363
# 9 #9 University of Maryland Global Campus 69 $36,350
# 10 #10 Florida State University 68 $36,112

#1 Thomas Edison State University

  • Salary Score: 93
  • Median Starting Salary: $42,906
  • Locations: Trenton (NJ)
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology focusing on human beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and social organization. This 120-credit program takes full-time students approximately four years to complete. Students may earn credits for prior learning and work experience, eliminating the need to complete specific courses and saving time and money. Similarly, TESU offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. The university has a 100% acceptance rate due to its open admissions policy, and it has a 48% graduation rate.

TESU delivers its online curriculum via Moodle. Distance learners in the online sociology program participate in classes such as Introduction to Critical Reasoning, Modern Sociological Foundations, Women and Social Action, and Sociology of Work. Students must also complete a capstone project to graduate.

#2 University of North Dakota

  • Salary Score: 82
  • Median Starting Salary: $39,028
  • Locations: Grand Forks (ND)
  • Accreditation: HLC

The University of North Dakota (UND) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts in Social Science that enables students to individualize a program based on their goals and interests in this field. They can choose from areas of study such as communication, criminal justice, geography, or history. Graduating requires completing 120 credits, which typically takes full-time students four years. Similar degrees include an online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and an online Bachelor of Science in Social Work. UND accepts 87% of applicants, and around 50% of students graduate with degrees.

UND provides the Blackboard learning management system to its online students. Depending on their interests, social science distance learners participate in courses such as Psychology and Law, International Economics, Delinquency and Juvenile Justice, and Urban Politics and Administration.

#3 SUNY Empire State University

  • Salary Score: 79
  • Median Starting Salary: $38,352
  • Locations: Saratoga Springs (NY)
  • Accreditation: MSCHE

SUNY Empire State College (SUNY Empire) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Social Science and an online Bachelor of Arts in Social Science that allows students to design a unique program with the support of a faculty mentor. Students complete approximately 124 credits to graduate, which takes about four years of full-time attendance. Due to its open admissions policy, SUNY Empire accepts 100% of applicants. Forty-seven percent of students graduate with degrees.

SUNY Empire uses Moodle to deliver coursework and instruction to distance learners. Those enrolled in the online social science programs take courses in six foundational areas based on their interests, such as Family and Society, America's Founding Ideas, Environmental Anthropology, Diversity and Cultural Competency, and Memory and Society.

#4 Washington State University

  • Salary Score: 75
  • Median Starting Salary: $37,484
  • Locations: Pullman (WA)
  • Accreditation: NWCCU

Washington State University (WSU) is a public institution offering a customizable online Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences based on a student's academic and career goals. There are 12 concentrations to choose from, including Anthropology, Comparative Ethnic Studies, Human Development, and Women's Studies. Prospective students can also explore WSU's online Bachelor of Arts in Human Development or online Bachelor of Science in Psychology for similar options. Full-time students generally complete this 120-credit program in four years. WSU accepts 80% of applicants, and 65% of students graduate.

WSU delivers its online curriculum via Canvas. Depending on the concentration chosen, distance learners can enroll in courses such as Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspectives, Modern Britain, Policing and Society, and Gerontology.

#5 Upper Iowa University

  • Salary Score: 75
  • Median Starting Salary: $37,440
  • Locations: Fayette (IA)
  • Accreditation: HLC

Upper Iowa University (UIU) is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Social Science suited for prospective students interested in careers in fields such as law, business, and public administration. This well-rounded online degree program includes areas of emphasis in General Social Science, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Graduating requires 120 credits, which full-time students may complete in less than four years due to the program's accelerated format. UIU has a 65% acceptance rate, and 50% of students graduate on average.

UIU uses its proprietary learning management system — uiuLearn — to deliver the online curriculum for a social science degree. Depending on the emphasis chosen, online social science undergraduates enroll in courses such as Diversity in the United States, Gender Roles, Political Anthropology, and International Relations. Students also complete a senior project to graduate.

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