by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 8 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Social Sciences Master's Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 560 master's degrees in social sciences during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The social sciences master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality social sciences program can vary widely even among the top schools. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for social sciences students working on their master's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Social Sciences Master's Degree Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in social sciences.
It's difficult to beat University of Pennsylvania if you want to pursue a master's degree in social sciences. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Pennsylvania
It's difficult to beat Villanova University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in social sciences. Located in the large suburb of Villanova, Villanova is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Villanova University
Saint Joseph's University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a master's degree in social sciences. St. Joe's is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Saint Joseph’s University
It is difficult to beat University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus if you wish to pursue a master's degree in social sciences. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Drexel University
Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Lehigh University
Located in the distant town of Indiana, IUP is a public university with a medium-sized student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus
Cabrini University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Radnor.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Cabrini University
Explore all the Best Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 35 | 1,883 |
| New Jersey | 32 | 239 |
| Maryland | 32 | 1,133 |
| District of Columbia | 32 | 1,512 |
| Delaware | 24 | 73 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geography & Cartography | 108 |
| Economics | 96 |
| International Relations & National Security | 74 |
| Other Social Sciences | 53 |
| Political Science & Government | 47 |
| Anthropology | 34 |
| Sociology | 15 |
| Archeology | 8 |
| Urban Studies | 5 |
| General Social Sciences | 4 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 578 |
| English Language & Literature | 320 |
| Communication & Journalism | 297 |
| History | 195 |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | 128 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 79 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 69 |
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 35 |
| Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies | 7 |
