by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 123 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
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 Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,776. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yuba College earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College earned the #6 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general social sciences program here. 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.
Fresno City College placed #9 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
American River College landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Sierra College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Students borrow a median of $7,834 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $30,103 early in their careers. Set against $7,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College came in at #14 for value in general social sciences this year. Porterville College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Porterville. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Merced College placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,843 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Merced College earn a median of $34,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.
California State University Fullerton earned the #16 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Butte College came in at #17 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,036. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,482. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. 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.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #19 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $15,446 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Citrus College came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Woodland Community College landed the #21 spot for general social sciences value this year. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $7,656. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,042.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #22 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,893 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #23 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,598. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cosumnes River College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. 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.
Palomar College earned the #25 position for value in general social sciences this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
These schools also delivered strong value for general social sciences this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.