2024 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences in California
23
Ranked Colleges
9,318
Degrees Awarded
$14,400
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking is part of that endeavor.
General Social Sciences is the 54th most popular major in the country with 18,997 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,991 and had an average of $24,438 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 9,318 general social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,123 and $15,766 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The social sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 Social Sciences Schools in California
The colleges and universities below are the best for california social sciences students.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences in California
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #1 spot on the list. SRJC is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 461 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SRJC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $6,585 for california social sciences students.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at SRJC
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Chico. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 74 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Chico State also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,218 for california social sciences students.
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%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at California State University - Chico
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Stanislaus. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 66 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
Stan State also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $6,566 for California Social Sciences students per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.
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%.
Full California State University - Stanislaus General Social Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 22 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for California Social Sciences students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of California - Irvine
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for California Social Sciences students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full San Diego State University General Social Sciences Report
San Jose State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #6. San Jose State University is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 11 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students list, San Jose State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for california social sciences students.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at San Jose State University
Butte College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #7. Butte College is located in Oroville, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 372 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Butte College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Butte College is $6,315 for California Social Sciences students.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Butte College
American River College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. American River is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 451 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
American River did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend American River is $5,561 for california social sciences students.
Read more about General Social Sciences at American River College
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 21 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $8,107 for California Social Sciences students.
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 full report on General Social Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino
California State University - Monterey Bay ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 87 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
CSUMB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $13,597 for california social sciences students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 - Monterey Bay
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #11. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $14,956 for california social sciences students per year to attend Humboldt State University.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Humboldt State University
East Los Angeles College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. East Los Angeles College is a public institution located in Monterey Park, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for East Los Angeles College is $11,028 for California Social Sciences students.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at East Los Angeles College
California State University - San Marcos ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. CSUSM is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 30 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSM also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for California Social Sciences students.
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
With a ranking of #14, Antelope Valley College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Antelope Valley College is a fairly large school located in Lancaster, California that handed out 311 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Antelope Valley College, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Antelope Valley College is $9,277 for California Social Sciences students.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Antelope Valley College
Mt. San Jacinto College landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. MSJC is a fairly large school located in San Jacinto, California that handed out 230 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSJC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,817 for California Social Sciences students per year to attend Mt. San Jacinto College.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Mt. San Jacinto College
Barstow Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. Barstow Community College is located in Barstow, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 128 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Barstow Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Barstow Community College is $8,815 for california social sciences students.
Full Barstow Community College General Social Sciences Report
The University of Arizona Global Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. The University of Arizona Global Campus is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 23 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UAGC also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend The University of Arizona Global Campus is $20,987 for california social sciences students.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at UAGC
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #18. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Sac State also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for california social sciences students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Sac State
National University landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 7 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
National University also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend National University is $20,722 for California Social Sciences students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at National University
Brandman University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. This medium-sized school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 13 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Brandman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brandman University is $27,866 for California Social Sciences students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Brandman University General Social Sciences Report
Hope International University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Fullerton, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students list, Hope has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hope International University is $21,437 for california social sciences students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Hope International University
Whittier College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Whittier, California, and it awarded 29 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Whittier, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Whittier College is $26,740 for California Social Sciences students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Whittier College
University of Southern California ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USC is $32,569 for California Social Sciences students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full USC 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
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