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Social Sciences Studiesat CUNY Graduate School and University Center

Graduates earn $54,265/yr in their first year — about 46.0% above the national Social Sciences Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $566K; scenarios range from $531K to $573K depending on AI disruption.

New York, NY Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
59
Optimistic
59
Pessimistic
Earnings
$54,265
1-year post-graduation
ROI
17.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$566K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
42% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

This CUNY Graduate Center program, situated in the heart of New York City, offers a unique blend of rigorous academic training and unparalleled access to diverse professional networks. The city's vast ecosystem of non-profits, government agencies, think tanks, and private sector research firms provides numerous avenues for graduates to apply their advanced analytical and research skills beyond traditional academia. The interdisciplinary nature of "Other Social Sciences" here often prepares students for specialized roles in policy analysis, data strategy, and program evaluation, which are highly valued in the competitive NYC market.

The absence of 5-year data might reflect the longer career trajectories common for advanced degrees in these fields, where initial post-doctoral work or entry-level roles can take time to translate into significant earnings. However, the strong overall earnings suggest that once established, your expertise commands a premium. While AI risk is noted, your ability to synthesize complex information and develop nuanced human-centered insights will remain critical. Consider actively building a portfolio that showcases your applied research and quantitative skills, crucial for navigating a dynamic job market.

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
$531K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple17.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$566K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$573K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple19.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Social Sciences Studies 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
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
3
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 Studies

How CUNY Graduate School and University Center stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
73
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
18.1x
ROI
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
NJ · Public
62
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
10.3x
ROI
Boston University
MA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
PA · Public
49
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
9.0x
ROI
University of California-Davis
CA · Public
55
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
9.8x
ROI
Also at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

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Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY Graduate School and University Center, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Social Sciences Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Social Sciences Studies at CUNY Graduate School and University Center

How does CUNY Graduate School and University Center's Social Sciences Studies program score?

This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Social Sciences Studies graduates.

How vulnerable is Social Sciences Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Social Sciences Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 33% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.