by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 152 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
The right general social sciences school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in general social sciences in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #5 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $18,893. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
De Anza College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,446. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $39,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Imperial Valley College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,176. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Shasta College came in at #10 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,275. General Social Sciences graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $27,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #12 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638.
Merced College placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,843. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $34,168. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.
South Texas College placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Butte College came in at #15 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,356 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Essex County College placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,851 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $22,053. Set against $5,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,711. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $24,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $16,194. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $39,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Foothill College placed #22 among the best values for general social sciences. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Folsom Lake College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Palomar College earned the #24 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #25 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $20,084. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Social Sciences. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced 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 · 152 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 152 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
