Social Sciences at California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Social Sciences, General
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $18,893/yr (-51% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)
ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #53 of 76 Social Sciences, General programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data for Social Sciences at Cal State San Bernardino reflects a few key realities. A general social science degree from a broad-access regional university often serves as a foundation, not a direct vocational pipeline. Many graduates enter local public service, non-profit roles, or administrative positions within the Inland Empire economy, which typically don't command the highest starting salaries. The strength of this program lies in developing critical thinking and communication skills, but without a specialized focus or additional technical skills, you'll compete for a wide range of entry-level jobs. To leverage this degree for higher earning potential, proactively seek internships in specific industries, pursue a minor in a high-demand field like data analytics or business, or plan for graduate studies.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $664K $647K $588K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.6x 21.1x 19.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.3x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 54% 43%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,700
Out-of-state: $78,220 (8.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$23,672
23% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,724
179% growth from Year 1

About California State University-San Bernardino

California State University-San Bernardino accepts 98% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 15,771 in San Bernardino, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 57% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Bernardino →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Statisticians $103,300/yr
Sociologists $101,690/yr
View all 11 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-San Bernardino

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-San Bernardino's Social Sciences program score?
This program scores 46/100 — on the lower end for Social Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Social Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Social Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Social Sciences earnings lower at California State University-San Bernardino?
Lower starting pay at California State University-San Bernardino may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →