by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 540 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
The right general social sciences school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general social sciences, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yuba College earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Frederick Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #9 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,446 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #11 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $27,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $18,893. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Sierra College earned the #13 position for value in general social sciences this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,834. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,275. General Social Sciences graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Folsom Lake College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Butte College placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,036. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merced College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,843. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $34,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #19 position for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,238 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $20,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Reedley College earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Porterville College placed #23 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Fresno City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,234. General Social Sciences graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Essex County College landed the #25 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $22,053. Set against $5,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general social sciences value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Social Sciences. See all related rankings.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General | 14,399 |
| Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods | 1,764 |
| Survey Research/Methodology | 11 |
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 540 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.