2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 491 schools to find the best return on investment for general social sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value General Social Sciences School for You
The general social sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
A rank of #3 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general social sciences. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, 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. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Yuba College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Frederick Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
American River College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
De Anza College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. 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%.
California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,446 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $27,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Sierra College placed #12 among the best values for general social sciences. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $7,834 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $30,103. Set against $7,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Shasta College earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Imperial Valley College placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Butte College came in at #17 for value in general social sciences this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $26,482. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College came in at #18 for value in general social sciences this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,843 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,168. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #19 for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,238 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Reedley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,500. General Social Sciences graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Fresno City College earned the #23 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College earned the #24 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.
Essex County College earned the #25 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,851. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. Set against $5,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general social sciences this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 491 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
