Social Sciences, General at Merced College

Merced, CA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 9,677 students in Merced, CA.

Program Analysis

Merced College Social Sciences, General graduates command $34,168/yr out of the gate, well above the $26,524 national median. That 29% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 149.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 45% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Social Sciences, General graduates.

Ranked #1 out of 21 programs, Merced College's Social Sciences, General program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Social Sciences, General has a registered apprenticeship option through Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer with a median wage of $136,550/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $34,168/yr (29% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (55% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (318,400 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$34K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
149.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
11 of 11
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,388
Out-of-state: $16,308
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,085
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Social Sciences, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Statisticians $103,300 +8.5% 34%
Sociologists $101,690 +3.6% 46%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Statisticians
$103,300
+8.5% growth 34% AI-proof
Sociologists
$101,690
+3.6% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 11 career paths with full salary data →

About Social Sciences, General Careers

Your understanding of human behavior can lead directly into management. In this common path, you’ll spend your days in an office leading project teams, using software like Asana to track progress, and analyzing performance data to solve operational problems. Alternatively, you might pursue a career in education, where you’ll be in a classroom guiding students through a history lesson, creating lesson plans, and using platforms like Canvas to communicate with students and parents.

Read the full Social Sciences, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Social Sciences, General Overview

Social Sciences, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at Merced College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Merced College's Social Sciences, General program score?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Social Sciences, General nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Should I worry about AI if I study Social Sciences, General?
AI won't 'replace' Social Sciences, General careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 45% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Merced College rank so high for Social Sciences, General?
Ranked #1 of 21 programs nationally, Merced College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is there demand for Social Sciences, General workers?
With approximately 318,400 annual openings across mapped careers, Social Sciences, General offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →