Social Sciences Studiesat University of California-Davis
Graduates earn $45,178/yr in their first year — about 21.0% above the national Social Sciences Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $618K; scenarios range from $574K to $629K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Davis
Your UC Davis social science degree, though broadly defined, benefits immensely from the university's strong research reputation and location. The program's rigor cultivates critical thinking and analytical skills highly valued by employers, contributing to the robust earnings you see. Proximity to Sacramento opens doors to state government and non-profit sector roles, while the broader Northern California economy, including parts of the Bay Area, offers opportunities in market research, human resources, and data-driven policy analysis. This isn't a pre-professional major; it's a foundation, attracting those who can leverage its versatility.
However, the "Other" designation means you must actively shape your path. Given the high AI risk in some analytical roles, your actionable advice is to strategically layer specific quantitative skills, such as advanced statistics or data visualization, onto your social science foundation. Seek internships that allow you to apply your insights in real-world contexts, like program evaluation or policy development, making your broad degree highly competitive.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Davis's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Social Sciences Studies
How UC Davis stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Davis
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Davis, 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 →Frequently asked about Social Sciences Studies at UC Davis
What does a 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Sciences Studies at University of California-Davis?
At 55/100, University of California-Davis's Social Sciences Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences Studies at University of California-Davis?
The 33% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of California-Davis one of the best schools for Social Sciences Studies?
Among 33 Social Sciences Studies programs, University of California-Davis's #4 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.