2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools to find the best return on investment for general social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among general social sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Yuba College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,729. 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. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #5. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, 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 landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno landed the #9 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 placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Butte College placed #12 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,036. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,482. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cosumnes River College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College landed the #15 spot for general social sciences value this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,851. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. That is a strong return on a $5,851 median debt.
Antelope Valley College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $12,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College came in at #17 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. 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 placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $20,084. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Sierra College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,834. General Social Sciences graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $30,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,834 median debt.
American River College landed the #22 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,105. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #23 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,128. General Social Sciences graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $19,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #24 among the best values for general social sciences. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Students borrow a median of $11,008 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Woodland Community College placed #25 among the best values for general social sciences. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,656 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,042 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All General Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
