Getting a degree in social science is one of the easiest ways to become a social worker in the USA.
Graduating from Top Social Science Universities in the USA will help you grow a career as a social science professional in wide areas like school, community health, substance abuse, human services, psychology and sociology.
The USA has the maximum number of the leading social science universities in the world, encompassing some of the very best like Harvard University, Stanford University etc.
Bachelor of Social Science degrees are from 3 to 5 years long, Master of Social Science 1-2 years long and PhD in Social Science from 4 to 5 years long in the US.
Top Universities for Social Science in the USA
|
Global Ranking 2023 |
University |
Location |
|
1 |
Harvard University |
Cambridge, US |
|
3 |
Stanford University |
Stanford, US |
|
4 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Cambridge, US |
|
7 |
University of California Berkeley (UCB) |
Berkeley, US |
|
8 |
Yale University |
New Haven, US |
|
9 |
University of Chicago |
Berkeley, US |
|
11 |
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Los Angeles, US |
|
10 |
Columbia University |
New York, US |
|
13 |
New York University (NYU) |
New York, US |
|
12 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, US |
|
=15 |
Princeton University |
Princeton,US |
|
=23 |
Northwestern University |
Evanston, US |
|
20 |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor |
Ann Arbor, US |
|
27 |
Cornell University |
Ithaca, US |
|
=40 |
Duke University |
Durham, US |
|
=45 |
The University of Texas at Austin |
Austin, US |
|
73 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Madison, US |
|
67 |
Pennsylvania State University |
University Park |
|
=68 |
Michigan State University |
East Lansing, US |
| 64 |
Boston University |
Boston, US |
|
=88 |
University of Southern California |
Los Angeles, US |
|
=95 |
Ohio State University |
Columbus, US |
|
=109 |
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
Chapel Hill, US |
|
=90 |
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
Champaign, US |
|
=86 |
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
San Diego, US |
|
=92 |
Carnegie Mellon University |
Pittsburgh, US |
| 105 |
Georgetown University |
Washington D.C, US |
|
84 |
University of Washington |
Seattle, US |
|
Talk to an ExpertTop Social Science Universities in the USA: Bachelor of Social Science
Bachelor of Social Science Courses in the USA
|
University in the USA |
Bachelor of Social Science Programs |
|
Harvard University |
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology |
|
Bachelor in Social Studies |
|
|
Northeastern University |
Sociology and Environmental Studies, BA |
|
Human Services and International Affairs, BA |
|
|
BS/BA Human Service and Sociology |
|
|
Human Services and Criminal Justice, BS |
|
|
Sociology and International Affairs, BA |
|
|
Sociology and Political Science, BA |
|
|
BA/BS in Human Services |
|
|
MIT |
Bachelor of Science in Women’s and Gender Studies |
|
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs |
|
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology |
|
|
University of South Florida |
Interdisciplinary Social Sciences B.A. |
|
Sociology B.A. |
|
|
New York University |
Bachelor of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis |
|
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology |
|
|
Bachelor of Science in Social Work |
|
|
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Bioethics |
|
|
University of California-Berkeley |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender and Women’s Studies |
|
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Social Welfare |
|
|
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Society and Environment |
|
|
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology |
Eligibility
Application Requirement / Document Checklist
- Academic documents (transcripts, character and provisional certificates) from class and +2 level.
- Valid English test scorecards
- Statement of Purpose
- 1-3 LOR
- SAT/ACT Scores
- Identification documents like passports
- Proof of Scholarships
- Application fees
Academic Requirements
- To study for a bachelor's degree in Social Work in the USA or social science, applicants need to pass 12 years of education. Applicants need to score a minimum of 2.0 GPA to 3.0 GPA in intermediate-level/ higher secondary education.
- SAT/ACT Scores are not always compulsory. However, they help boost your overall profile, compensate for a lower GPA, and help you get scholarships.
English test scores
The minimum English language scores to study Bachelor of Social Science in US Universities are-
- IELTS: A minimum of 6.0- 7.0, with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL: An overall score of 70- 90, with at least 18 in each section
- PTE: A minimum score of 50- 68, with no band score less than 50.
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: Bachelor of Social Science Fees for international students in the USA
|
University |
Average Tuition Fees (USD) |
|
Rutgers University |
12,020 |
|
University of Washington |
9,443 |
|
Appalachian State University |
10, 473 |
|
California State University |
9,654 |
|
University of South Florida |
11,766 |
|
University of Maryland, Baltimore |
25,000 |
|
Colorado State University |
32,000 |
|
Portland State University |
30,000 |
|
South Dakota State University |
12,000 |
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: Masters in Social Science
Master of Social Science Courses in the USA
|
US University |
Masters in Social work or social science courses |
|
Harvard University |
Master in Public Administration |
|
Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) |
|
|
Mid-Career in Public Administration (MC/MPA) |
|
|
Stanford University |
Master of Arts in Sociology |
|
The University of Texas at Dallas |
Master of Science in Applied Sociology |
|
University of South Florida |
Public Administration, M.P.A |
|
Social Work, MSW |
|
|
Sociology, M.A |
|
|
New York University |
Master of Arts Human Development and Social Intervention |
|
Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy |
|
|
Master of Public Administration in Health Policy and Management |
|
|
Executive Master of Public Administration |
|
|
Master of Public Administration/ Global Master of Public Health |
|
|
Master of Science in Global Affairs |
|
|
University of Maryland Baltimore County |
MA in Applied Sociology |
|
Georgia State University |
Master of Social Work |
|
MA Sociology |
|
|
MPA Public to Administration |
|
|
Master of Social Work- Advanced Standing |
|
|
Northeastern University |
Master of Public Administration |
Eligibility
Document checklist for applying
- Official certificates of bachelor's level including transcript, character and provisional certificate.
- Intermediate-level documents, including character, provisional and transcripts.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation, depending upon the University
- Passport
- Application fees
- Valid English Proficiency test results
- GRE Scores (Not always mandatory)
- Work experience, if asked
- Additional essays and interviews
Academic Requirement
Applicants need to pass a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2.5 GPA to 3.4 GPA in a relevant area of study like social work, social sciences, human services, anthropology and so on.
English Test Scores
The minimum scores as stated below-
- IELTS: A minimum of 6.5-7.5 on the academic examination.
- TOEFL: Minimum 79- 110 on the Internet-based test
- PTE: Overall 58 to 75
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: Masters in Social Science Fees
|
University |
Total Course Fees (in USD) |
|
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
42,448- 58,950 |
|
Washington University |
62, 740- 90,500 |
|
Columbia University |
70,300- 78,500 |
|
University of California |
38,436- 48,420 |
|
University of North Carolina |
42,330- 53,208 |
|
University of Washington |
89,340- 106,120 |
|
University of Texas |
53,000- 68,000 |
|
Case Western Reserve University |
45,524- 60,000 |
|
Boston College |
55,000- 65,507 |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
110,958 - 125,600 |
|
New York University |
72,100- 86,450 |
|
Ohio State University |
35,000- 50,000 |
|
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: PhD in Social Science
PhD in Social Science Courses in the USA
|
University |
Doctorate in Social Science |
|
Arizona State University |
Environmental Social Science (Urbanism), PhD |
|
Syracuse University |
PhD in Social Science |
|
University of Chicago |
PhD in Social Sciences in:
|
|
Caltech |
Social Science PhD |
|
University of South Florida |
Doctor of Philosophy concentration n social science |
|
University of Nevada, Las Vegas |
PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice |
|
PhD in Public Affairs |
|
|
PhD in Political Science |
|
|
Pace University |
PhD in Mental Health Counselling |
Eligibility
Document Checklist for applying
- Academic documents such as transcripts, character certificates and provisional certificates of the master, bachelor, and intermediate levels
- English Language Scores- Should be valid
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Application fees
- GRE/ GMAT Scores, A Good GRE/GMAT Score is an entry requirement for most PhD Programs.
- Experience letter for gap
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- CV
- Identification documents like passport
Academic Requirements
- Applicants must complete a master's degree in a relevant social science specialisation with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.6 and show commendable research skills.
- For doctorate degrees, candidates need to find and finalize the supervisor.
English test scores
International students from non-native English-speaking countries need to take the English proficiency test and bring minimum scores of:
- IELTS: 6.5- 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL: 79-100, with a minimum subscore of 19 in each band
- PTE: 58-70, with a minimum subscore of 58
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: PhD in Social Science Fees
Generally, the cost of studying for a PhD in Social Science in the USA ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 60,000 annually for international students. But, since these programs are heavily research-based, universities fund most students if they are eligible for this program.
To get funding or financial aid from the university, applicants need to find a supervisor from the social science department and reach out to them with their research proposal and overall academic profile.
If the professors or researchers feel that you are a right fit for the program, they will take you under their wing, and you will get significant financial help in the form of an assistantship. Your entire tuition fee will be waived, and you will get a decent yearly allowance.
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: Scholarships and Financial Aids
|
University |
Scholarship name |
Scholarship information |
|
Rutgers University |
Association of Latino Social Work Educators (ALSWE) |
Supports the advancement of social work and related sector education mainly among Latinos. |
|
University of Washington |
Harry Bridges Center scholarships |
Supports the study and research related to Labor issues. |
|
UWAA Homecoming scholarship |
Valued at $2000 |
|
Appalachian State University |
James S. Toby Brown Scholarship. |
up to $1,000 is presented to a student from CSWE-accredited programs. |
Other social science scholarships available in the USA for international students are:
- Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship Programs
- Dr Alma S. Adams Scholarship worth USD 5,000 per year.
- Verne LeMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship
- James F. Reville Scholarship
- American School Health Association Scholarship
- Davis- Putter Scholarship fund, which amounts up to USD 15,000
- James F. Reveille Scholarship of value 3,000
- Pride Foundation Scholarship
- Maryland Higher Education Commission Graduate and Professional Scholarship
- Schepp Foundation Scholarship
- North Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work Scholarship
Top Social Science Universities in the USA: Scope and Career Opportunities
The graduates of social science can find employment in the USA or any other country in the following areas-
- Archaeology
- Community resources
- Cultural and medical anthropology
- Demography
- Culture and the Environment
- Environmental hazards and vulnerability
- Environmental justice
- Human environment impacts
- Political ecology
- Science and technology studies
- Environmental history
- Geographic information systems
- Human and Physical geography
- Planning
- Public Affairs
- Science and technology studies
- Sociology
Social Science Jobs and salaries in the USA for international students.
|
Social Work jobs in the USA |
Average Salary in USD (per year) |
|
Case Managers |
45,000 |
|
Substance Abuse Counselling |
32,484 |
|
Community Health Workers |
43,000 |
|
Patient Education |
48,769 |
|
Mental health Care Counsellors |
45,000 |
|
Group therapy |
45,197 |
|
School Social Workers |
33,000 |
|
Patient Counseling |
48,673 |
