2023 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in California
22
Ranked Colleges
9,318
Degrees Awarded
$10,800
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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.
For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in general social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general social sciences programs and cost less that 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
More Ways to Rank General Social Sciences Schools
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 For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) 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 Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. 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.
SRJC also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $5,728 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full SRJC General Social Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Irvine. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.
UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $6,540 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Irvine General Social Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Diego State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 61 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for SDSU is $7,169 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 San Diego State University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - San Bernardino. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 21 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUSB has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUSB is $5,985 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. 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 CSUSB General Social Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Monterey Bay. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k. CSUMB is located in Seaside, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUMB, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $9,192 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSUMB.
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%.
Full CSUMB General Social Sciences Report
California State University - Stanislaus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 66 ’s social sciences degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $4,122 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Stan State
Butte College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. 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 also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $5,170 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Butte College.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Butte College
With a ranking of #8, University of Southern California did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 29 ’s social sciences 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. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,287 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of Southern California
American River College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American River is a large school located in Sacramento, California that handed out 451 ’s social sciences 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. It costs about $4,848 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American River.
Full American River College General Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #10, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $11,754 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
With a ranking of #11, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.
San Jose State also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $12,158 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at San Jose State University
California State University - Sacramento did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Sac State
Mt. San Jacinto College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mt. San Jacinto College is located in San Jacinto, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 230 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
MSJC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,949 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mt. San Jacinto College.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at MSJC
Antelope Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Antelope Valley College is a fairly large school located in Lancaster, California that handed out 311 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Antelope Valley College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Antelope Valley College is $8,649 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Antelope Valley College
California State University - San Marcos ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - San Marcos 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 #12. The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $9,397 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 more about General Social Sciences at California State University - San Marcos
East Los Angeles College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Los Angeles College is a large public school situated in Monterey Park, California. It awarded 1,106 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, East Los Angeles College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Los Angeles College is $10,646 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full East Los Angeles College General Social Sciences Report
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $11,473 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Humboldt State University
Barstow Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Barstow Community College is a small public school situated in Barstow, California. It awarded 128 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Barstow Community College 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 Barstow Community College is $8,372 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Barstow Community College
Whittier College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k list. Whittier, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 29 students 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 is $20,807 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Whittier
Hope International University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Hope is located in Fullerton, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Hope also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hope International University is $16,326 for california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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.
Full Hope International University General Social Sciences Report
Brandman University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Brandman University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brandman has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandman is $27,866 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
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
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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.
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