2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k
22
Ranked Colleges
9,318
Degrees Awarded
$10,900
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 18,997 people earned their degree in general social sciences, making the major the 54th most popular in the United States. 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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general social sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in California
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Rosa Junior College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Santa Rosa Junior College 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.
In addition to being on our california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SRJC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $5,800 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Santa Rosa Junior College
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of California - Irvine
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Stanislaus landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Stan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $4,903 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stan State.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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%.
Full Stan State General Social Sciences Report
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 $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 21 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUSB also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $6,613 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.
Full CSUSB General Social Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American River College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k. American River is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 451 ’s 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. The estimated yearly cost for American River is $5,547 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about General Social Sciences at American River
Butte College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Butte College is a medium-sized public school situated in Oroville, California. It awarded 372 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Butte College also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,059 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Butte College.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Butte College
San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 61 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
SDSU also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $9,274 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at SDSU
With a ranking of #8, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Seaside, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 87 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
CSUMB also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,711 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k 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%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at CSUMB
Mt. San Jacinto College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MSJC is a fairly large public school situated in San Jacinto, California. It awarded 230 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
MSJC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Mt. San Jacinto College is $5,715 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Mt. San Jacinto College General Social Sciences Report
California State University - Chico came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Chico State also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $13,040 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 more about General Social Sciences at California State University - Chico
University of Southern California landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. 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. It costs about $17,345 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern California.
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. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 University of Southern California
Antelope Valley College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Lancaster, California, and it awarded 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 $9,465 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Antelope Valley College General Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #13, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k 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. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $13,378 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about General Social Sciences at San Jose State
California State University - Sacramento came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
Sac State also took the #15 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for California Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 California State University - Sacramento
With a ranking of #15, California State University - San Marcos did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - San Marcos is located in San Marcos, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
CSUSM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend CSUSM is $10,348 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 General Social Sciences at CSUSM
With a ranking of #16, East Los Angeles College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Monterey Park, California, and it awarded 1,106 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
East Los Angeles College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend East Los Angeles College is $10,950 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full East Los Angeles College General Social Sciences Report
Humboldt State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
Humboldt State University also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $12,298 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Humboldt State University General Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #18, Barstow Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. Barstow Community College is a small school located in Barstow, California that handed out 128 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Barstow Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. It costs about $9,259 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Barstow Community College.
Read more about General Social Sciences at Barstow Community College
Whittier College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Whittier College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Whittier, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Whittier also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Whittier College is $21,666 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Whittier General Social Sciences Report
Hope International University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hope International University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Hope did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hope International University is $17,610 for california social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Hope International University
With a ranking of #22, Brandman University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 13 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Brandman also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in California” list, coming in at #18.
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%.
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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