2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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.
What’s on this page:
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
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among general social sciences schools 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Frederick Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $32,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College ranked #10 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. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,834. 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.
Shasta College landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College came in at #12 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,176. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Butte College earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of Butte College earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.
Reedley College placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Porterville College placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Essex County College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $22,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Woodland Community College came in at #22 for value in general social sciences this year. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,656. Median earnings reach $40,042 ten years out.
Cosumnes River College landed the #23 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Palomar College earned the #24 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #25 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $20,084. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general social sciences value ranking:
Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general social sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All General Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 491 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
