[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 163 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
Finding the Best Value General Social Sciences School for You
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. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among general social sciences schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general social sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general social sciences program here. 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.
Yuba College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general social sciences. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $18,893. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #7 spot for general social sciences value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,446. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,149 early in their careers. Set against $15,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Imperial Valley College came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College came in at #11 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College Fresno landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638.
Merced College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,843 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Butte College came in at #15 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $26,482. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
California State University Sacramento ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,194 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $39,061. That is a strong return on a $16,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
South Texas College earned the #17 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cosumnes River College placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Essex County College landed the #20 spot for general social sciences value this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College placed #21 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,711 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $24,052. That is a strong return on a $12,711 median debt.
Foothill College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Palomar College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,625. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $20,084 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 163 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
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).
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
