Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools

• Smart Choices: In this economy, job prospects look brightest in fields not tied primarily to academia—in subjects such as physical and biological sciences, economics, and criminal justice, says Scott Jaschik, editor of InsideHigherEd. Determined to teach? Jaschik says not to overlook community colleges.
• Insider Tip: If the prospect of lengthy qualifying exams makes you squirm, take heart: A small but growing number of graduate departments in history, American studies, computer science, and other disciplines are opting instead for portfolios that document mastery of predissertation coursework with research papers, literature reviews, etc. Some portfolios can do double duty, reducing the time it takes to finish a Ph.D.
• Getting In: Size Matters Ask hard questions before applying to a department with very small numbers of students. Ohio State University recently axed three small grad programs identified as "candidates for disinvestment or elimination."
• Reality Check: Interested in teaching college? Faculty pay rose, on average, 3.8% last year, but that lagged inflation for the third time in four years. (On the bright side, at least they had jobs).
• Reality Check: Average salary, full professor, Pac-10 school: $109,654
  ACC school: $125,044
• Reality Check: Number of doctoral degrees awarded, 2006-2007: 55,439

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• More Social Sciences Program Tips and Stats