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2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California

61 Ranked Colleges
51,680 Degrees Awarded
$12,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 205,984 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,262 and had an average of $23,306 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 51,680 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,887 and $17,995 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking, we looked at 61 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences in California

1

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 2,813 students in 2020-2021.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $15,023 for california social sciences students per year to attend UCLA.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Social Sciences Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 658 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california social sciences students list, Fresno State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $6,230 for California Social Sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Fresno State

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,093 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $16,032 for California Social Sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Social Sciences at UC Berkeley

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Santa Barbara. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. University of California - Santa Barbara is a large school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 2,053 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for California Social Sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, 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 91%.

Full UCSB Social Sciences Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 764 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california social sciences students list, CSULB has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for california social sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at CSULB

6

University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 1,848 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for california social sciences students.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UC Irvine Social Sciences Report

7

University of California - San Diego came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,404 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for California Social Sciences students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full University of California - San Diego Social Sciences Report

8

University of California - Davis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 1,517 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,768 for California Social Sciences students per year to attend University of California - Davis.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Davis Social Sciences Report

9

California State University - East Bay came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 373 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $13,298 for california social sciences students per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - East Bay Social Sciences Report

10
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. SRJC is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 668 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california social sciences students list, SRJC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Rosa Junior College is $6,585 for california social sciences students.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Social Sciences Report

11

California State University - Northridge landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 944 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for California Social Sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at CSUN

12

California State University - San Marcos ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. California State University - San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 730 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUSM is $13,218 for California Social Sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at California State University - San Marcos

13

With a ranking of #13, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 693 students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california social sciences students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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%.

Full California State University - Fullerton Social Sciences Report

14

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 334 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $20,677 for california social sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

15
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #15. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 500 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $16,542 for California Social Sciences students per year to attend San Jose State.

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 89%.

Read more about Social Sciences at San Jose State

16

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking, coming in at #16. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 1,301 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,822 for california social sciences students per year to attend UCR.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of California - Riverside

17

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Stan State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 291 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for California Social Sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus

18
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, this large public school awarded 542 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,459 for california social sciences students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, 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.

Full San Francisco State University Social Sciences Report

19
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #19, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 845 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california social sciences students list, SDSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for california social sciences students per year to attend San Diego State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, 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 Social Sciences at San Diego State University

20

California State University - Sacramento landed the #20 spot on the 2024 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 786 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Sac State 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 full report on Social Sciences at Sac State

21

California State University - Chico ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large school located in Chico, California that handed out 457 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,218 for california social sciences students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Social Sciences at California State University - Chico

22

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 591 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $3,302 for california social sciences students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cal State LA

23

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 864 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for california social sciences students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

24

California State University - Dominguez Hills ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school awarded 378 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills is $4,026 for california social sciences students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at CSUDH

25

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 394 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend 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 Social Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino

Notes and References

References

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