2023 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California
22
Ranked Colleges
9,318
Degrees Awarded
$10,900
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 18,762 people earned their degree in general social sciences, making the major the 44th most popular in the United States.
Across California, there were 9,318 general social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in general social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general social sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general social sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank General Social Sciences Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Rosa Junior College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Santa Rosa Junior College is a fairly large school located in Santa Rosa, California that handed out 461 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SRJC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Santa Rosa Junior College is $5,800 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at SRJC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general social sciences degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,449 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at UC Irvine
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Stanislaus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 66 degrees to qualified ’s general social sciences students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stan State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $4,903 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Stan State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - San Bernardino. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 21 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $6,613 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Social Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, American River College landed the #5 spot on the list. American River is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 451 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at American River, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American River College is $5,547 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about General Social Sciences at American River
Butte College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 372 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Butte College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $6,059 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Butte College
San Diego State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 61 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $9,274 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at San Diego State University
California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s general social sciences degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, CSUMB has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $10,711 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at California State University - Monterey Bay
Mt. San Jacinto College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Mt. San Jacinto College is a public institution located in San Jacinto, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 230 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, MSJC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Jacinto College is $5,715 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at MSJC
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school awarded 74 diplomas to qualified ’s general social sciences students in 2020-2021.
Chico State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $13,040 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at California State University - Chico
University of Southern California ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $17,345 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend USC.
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 excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of Southern California
Antelope Valley College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Lancaster, California, this fairly large public school awarded 311 degrees to qualified ’s general social sciences students in 2020-2021.
Antelope Valley College also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Antelope Valley College is $9,465 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Antelope Valley College
San Jose State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 11 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $13,378 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full San Jose State General Social Sciences Report
California State University - Sacramento ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at California State University - Sacramento
California State University - San Marcos ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSM is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s general social sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSM, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,348 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSUSM.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at CSUSM
East Los Angeles College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Monterey Park, California, this large public school awarded 1,106 degrees to qualified ’s general social sciences students in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Los Angeles College is $10,950 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full East Los Angeles College General Social Sciences Report
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized school located in Arcata, California that handed out 11 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $12,298 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Humboldt State University General Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #18, Barstow Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Barstow Community College is a public institution located in Barstow, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Barstow Community College also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,259 for california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Barstow Community College.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Barstow Community College
Whittier College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 29 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Whittier did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Whittier College is $21,666 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 College General Social Sciences Report
Hope International University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fullerton, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general social sciences degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
Hope also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $17,610 for California General Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Hope.
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.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Hope
Brandman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Brandman University is a medium-sized school located in Irvine, California that handed out 13 ’s general social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california general social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Brandman has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 Brandman University General Social Sciences Report
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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
