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2024 Best General Social Sciences Schools

139 Colleges in the United States
18,762 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
If you pursue a degree in general social sciences, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #44 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 139 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best General Social Sciences Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 18,762 degrees in general social sciences to qualified students.

What's on this page: * 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. We derive our Best Overall General Social Sciences School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your General Social Sciences Degree Level

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best General Social Sciences Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the general social sciences degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top Schools in General Social Sciences

1
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TN
258 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Vanderbilt University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in general social sciences. Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were about 258 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.

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

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In NY

Every student who is interested in general social sciences needs to check out Columbia University in the City of New York. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 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
1st Most Popular In MA
188 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat Harvard University if you want to pursue a degree in general social sciences. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were approximately 188 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year.

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

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IL
182 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 182 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

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

5
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In NY
61 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 61 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

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

6
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
129 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 129 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

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

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43rd Most Popular In CA
10.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. 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.

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

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
301 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Florida State is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. This university ranks 3rd out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 301 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

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

9
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In UT
114 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 13 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were roughly 114 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year.

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

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OR
316 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Eugene, UO is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 30 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were about 316 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent year we have data available.

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

11
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
22nd Most Popular In NY
50.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Hamilton, Colgate is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #67 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Colgate is a great university overall.

There were approximately 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

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MI
11.1% Growth in Graduates

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

There were approximately 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

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
25.0% Growth in Graduates

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

There were roughly 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

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In WA
86 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 86 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

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

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In OH

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 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

15
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NY
318 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

University at Buffalo is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Buffalo. This university ranks 23rd out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were roughly 318 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University at Buffalo in the most recent data year.

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

16
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
47th Most Popular In CA

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #61 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Irvine is a great university overall.

There were roughly 22 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year.

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

17
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In OR
256 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 30 schools for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were approximately 256 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent year we have data available.

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

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In FL
158 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public university with a fairly large student population. 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 year we have data available.

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

19
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In LA

Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 29 schools for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.

There were about 17 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tulane in the most recent year we have data available.

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

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MD
210 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded

Located in the large suburb of Adelphi, UMGC is a public university with a very large student population. 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 year we have data available.

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

Rest of the Top Best General Social Sciences Schools

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best General Social Sciences Schools award.

Rank College Location
26 North Central College Naperville, IL
27 Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CA
21 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
22 Bellevue University Bellevue, NE
23 Washington State University Pullman, WA
24 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
25 Denison University Granville, OH

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

Majors Similar to General Social Sciences

Related Major Annual Graduates
Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods 235

View All General Social Sciences Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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