2023 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences in California (With Aid)
23
Ranked Colleges
9,318
Degrees Awarded
$14,400
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
General Social Sciences is the 54th most popular major in the country with 18,997 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,991 and had an average of $24,438 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 9,318 general social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,123 and $15,766 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree in general social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Social Sciences Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences in California (With Aid)
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #1 spot on the list. Santa Rosa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 461 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRJC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $6,585 for California Social Sciences students with aid.
Full SRJC General Social Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - San Bernardino. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 21 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students with aid list, CSUSB has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for California Social Sciences students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $12,209 for California Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend UC Irvine.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of California - Irvine General Social Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American River College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. American River College is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 451 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
American River also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for American River is $5,561 for California Social Sciences students with aid.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at American River College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Butte College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Oroville, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 372 students in 2020-2021.
Butte College also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $6,315 for California Social Sciences students with aid.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Butte College
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Stan State also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $6,566 for California Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Stan State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Stan State General Social Sciences Report
San Diego State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 61 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $13,845 for California Social Sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about General Social Sciences at San Diego State University
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students with aid list, CSUMB has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for california social sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Monterey Bay General Social Sciences Report
California State University - Chico came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 74 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,218 for California Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend California State University - Chico.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Chico State
San Jose State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for california social sciences students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at San Jose State
With a ranking of #11, Antelope Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Antelope Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Lancaster, California. It awarded 311 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Antelope Valley College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,277 for california social sciences students with aid per year to attend Antelope Valley College.
Full Antelope Valley College General Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #12, Mt. San Jacinto College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Mt. San Jacinto College is located in San Jacinto, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 230 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
MSJC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend MSJC is $5,817 for california social sciences students with aid.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Mt. San Jacinto College
California State University - Sacramento came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 27 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $11,178 for california social sciences students with aid per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at California State University - Sacramento
East Los Angeles College landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Monterey Park, California, this large public school awarded 1,106 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $11,028 for california social sciences students with aid per year to attend East Los Angeles College.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at East Los Angeles College
California State University - San Marcos ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
CSUSM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $13,218 for california social sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - San Marcos General Social Sciences Report
Barstow Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Barstow Community College is a small public school situated in Barstow, California. It awarded 128 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Barstow Community College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Barstow Community College is $8,815 for california social sciences students with aid.
Full Barstow Community College General Social Sciences Report
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $14,956 for california social sciences students with aid per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Full Humboldt State University General Social Sciences Report
University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. University of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $32,569 for california social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Southern California.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of Southern California
Whittier College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Whittier, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Whittier, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $26,740 for california social sciences students with aid per year to attend Whittier College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Whittier General Social Sciences Report
Brandman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Brandman is a medium-sized school located in Irvine, California that handed out 13 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students with aid list, Brandman has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brandman is $27,866 for California Social Sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Brandman University
Hope International University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students with aid list, Hope has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hope is $21,437 for california social sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Hope General Social Sciences Report
National University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 7 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students with aid list, National University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for National University is $20,722 for california social sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at National University
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a More Focused Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
