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2024 Best General Social Sciences Schools

162 Colleges in the United States
18,997 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$32,991 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in general social sciences is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #54 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 162 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general social sciences students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 18,997 degrees in general social sciences during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great General Social Sciences School

Best General Social Sciences Schools Your choice of general social sciences school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for general social sciences schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

General Social Sciences Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Social Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Social Sciences
Master's Degrees in Social Sciences
Doctor's Degrees in Social Sciences

The social sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best General Social Sciences Schools. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of social sciences degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

24 Top Schools in Social Sciences

1
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
258 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
12.0% Growth in Graduates

Vanderbilt University is a great option for students interested in a degree in general social sciences. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 258 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent data year. Those general social sciences students who get their degree from Vanderbilt University earn $23,285 more than the typical social sciences student.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Vanderbilt University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
13th Most Popular In NY

It is hard to beat Columbia University in the City of New York if you wish to pursue a degree in general social sciences. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 21 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Columbia University in the City of New York

3
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
188 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
16.5% Growth in Graduates

Harvard University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in general social sciences. Harvard is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Cambridge. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were about 188 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general social sciences major at Harvard University make $9,935 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Harvard University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
185 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$39,749 Median Starting Salary

Any student who is interested in general social sciences has to take a look at University of Chicago. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were about 185 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. General Social Sciences degree recipients from University of Chicago earn a boost of about $6,758 above the typical earnings of general social sciences majors.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Chicago

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$95,088 Median Starting Salary

Johns Hopkins is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were roughly 43 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available. General Social Sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University get an earnings boost of approximately $62,097 above the average income of general social sciences majors.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Johns Hopkins University

6
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.More information about a degree in general social sciences from Georgetown University

7
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
61 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$40,666 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 61 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Those general social sciences students who get their degree from New York University make $7,675 more than the typical social sciences grad.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from New York University

8
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
131 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
0.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were approximately 131 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, social sciences degree recipients generally make about $33,674 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Michigan State University

9

USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 29 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, social sciences degree recipients typically make an average of $28,365 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Southern California

10
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
301 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
3.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 301 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general social sciences program at Florida State University get $3,121 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Florida State University

11
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
125 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
26.4% Growth in Graduates

U of U is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Salt Lake City. This university ranks 3rd out of 13 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were approximately 125 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent year we have data available. Those general social sciences students who get their degree from University of Utah earn $6,148 more than the average social sciences grad.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Utah

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
316 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$31,960 Median Starting Salary

UO is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Eugene. This university ranks 2nd out of 30 schools for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were approximately 316 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent data year. After graduating, social sciences degree recipients typically make around $31,960 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Oregon

13
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
23rd Most Popular In NY
50.0% Growth in Graduates

Colgate is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Hamilton. This university ranks 5th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 2 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Colgate in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Colgate University

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MI
11.1% Growth in Graduates

U-M is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were about 9 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

15
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
86 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
16.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were roughly 86 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the general social sciences program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus make $14,344 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
25.0% Growth in Graduates

Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 4 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Northwestern University

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In OH

Ohio State is a very large public university located in the large city of Columbus. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 13 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Ohio State University - Main Campus

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
318 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$30,016 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University at Buffalo is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 23rd out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 318 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University at Buffalo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the social sciences program earn about $30,016 for their early career.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University at Buffalo

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$32,400 Median Starting Salary
$17,812 Median Student Debt

UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the large city of Irvine. A Best Colleges rank of #61 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were approximately 22 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the social sciences program state that they receive average early career income of $32,400.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of California - Irvine

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
256 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
6.6% Growth in Graduates

Portland State University is a fairly large public university located in the city of Portland. This university ranks 7th out of 30 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were roughly 256 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, social sciences degree recipients typically make about $31,905 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Portland State University

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
158 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
3.2% Growth in Graduates

USF Tampa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Tampa. This university ranks 8th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 158 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at USF Tampa in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the social sciences program state that they receive average early career earnings of $31,797.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of South Florida - Main Campus

22
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
29th Most Popular In NY

Syracuse is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Syracuse. This university ranks 12th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 1 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Syracuse University

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$34,203 Median Starting Salary
$45,370 Median Student Debt

Tulane is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New Orleans. This university ranks 1st out of 29 colleges for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were approximately 17 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients usually earn an average of $34,203 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from Tulane University of Louisiana

24
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
210 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
21.0% Growth in Graduates

UMGC is a very large public university located in the suburb of Adelphi. This university ranks 3rd out of 36 schools for overall quality in the state of Maryland.

There were roughly 210 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMGC in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the general social sciences program at University of Maryland Global Campus make $3,359 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in general social sciences from University of Maryland Global Campus

Rest of the Top Best General Social Sciences Schools

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for General Social Sciences students that almost earned our Best General Social Sciences Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
27 Bellevue University Bellevue, NE
28 Washington State University Pullman, WA
29 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
30 Denison University Granville, OH
31 North Central College Naperville, IL
32 Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA
25 Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL

General Social Sciences by Region

View the Best General Social Sciences Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, General Social Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.

Social Sciences Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Social Sciences 18,762
Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods 235

View All Social Sciences Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
Sociology 38,475
International Relations & National Security 14,306
Anthropology 11,415
Geography & Cartography 8,526
Other Social Sciences 2,414
Urban Studies 1,507
Sociology & Anthropology 541
Archeology 339

View All Social Sciences Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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