2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 121 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
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 tops our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. 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. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,729. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mt San Antonio College earned it the #5 place for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general social sciences program here. 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,176. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College placed #7 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College placed #8 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. 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. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College placed #9 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
American River College landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,105. General Social Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
De Anza College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Porterville College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Porterville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Median earnings reach $36,328 ten years out.
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. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $7,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Butte College landed the #17 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. 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. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,446 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Citrus College landed the #20 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Woodland Community College landed the #21 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 landed the #22 spot for general social sciences value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,149. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $18,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cosumnes River College earned the #23 position 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. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. General Social Sciences graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
California State University Fresno landed the #24 spot for general social sciences value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Palomar College placed #25 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
Narrow General Social Sciences Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
