Home Schools Charleston Southern University Social Sciences
Social Sciences · Social Sciences Rank #76 of 76

Social Sciencesat Charleston Southern University

Graduates earn $23,797/yr in their first year — about 38.0% below the national Social Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $501K; scenarios range from $473K to $501K depending on AI disruption.

Charleston, SC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
28 AT RISK
29
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,797
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$501K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Charleston Southern University

A general Social Sciences degree from Charleston Southern offers a broad academic foundation, but without specific vocational training, you'll likely find yourself competing for entry-level roles that don't always require a specialized degree. This can lead to significantly lower earnings, as the Charleston job market, while growing, often prioritizes candidates with highly specific skills in fields like tech, healthcare, or advanced business, or those with direct experience from robust internship programs.

The high AI risk for general social science roles further complicates the landscape, suggesting that many common tasks are susceptible to automation, increasing competition for available positions. Your initial career path might involve administrative support, non-profit roles, or further education. To improve your outlook, you'll need to proactively build a marketable skillset, perhaps through a strong minor, practical internships, or by planning for graduate school early to specialize your knowledge.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$473K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple3.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$501K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple4.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$501K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score29/100
Earnings Multiple4.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Charleston Southern University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Social Sciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Statisticians
+8.5% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$103,300/yr
High
3
Sociologists
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$101,690/yr
High
4
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
5
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$82,540/yr
Moderate
6
Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other
+1.7% 10-yr growth · 1,500 openings/yr
$75,040/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Social Sciences

How Charleston Southern University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Mercer University
GA · Private nonprofit
56
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Vanderbilt University
TN · Private nonprofit
63
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
2.5x
ROI
Top score
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
76
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
15.3x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
58
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Upper Iowa University
IA · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$56K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
Also at Charleston Southern University

Other top programs at Charleston Southern University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Charleston Southern University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Social Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Social Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Sciences at Charleston Southern University

How does Charleston Southern University's Social Sciences program score?

This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Social Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Charleston Southern University Social Sciences graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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 Charleston Southern University?

Lower starting pay at Charleston Southern University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.