by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general social sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools to find the best return on investment for general social sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,098. 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.
Yuba College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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. 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.
De Anza College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general social sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. 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. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, 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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College Fresno landed the #9 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Merced College landed the #10 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $7,843 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #11 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College came in at #12 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, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Cosumnes River College came in at #14 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Essex County College earned the #15 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. That is a strong return on a $5,851 median debt.
Antelope Valley College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Antelope Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,711. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $24,052. That is a strong return on a $12,711 median debt.
Foothill College placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Palomar College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $20,084 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $30,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,834 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,128. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,220. That is a strong return on a $9,128 median debt.
American River College earned the #23 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #24 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,008 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #25 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $18,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
Explore the best-value general social sciences schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.