General Social Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general social sciences programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 154 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general social sciences students pursuing a degree.
The general social sciences program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best General Social Sciences Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general social sciences. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 283 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from Vanderbilt University
Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 14 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
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Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. About 157 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $56,540 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937.
See the full general social sciences program report for Harvard University
Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 50 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
See the full general social sciences program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
A rank of #5 makes De Anza College one of the top schools for general social sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. De Anza College awarded about 107 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $57,538. Students borrow a median of $20,559 to complete this degree.
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University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 224 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $53,788 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
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California State University Sacramento ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $39,061. Students borrow a median of $16,194 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University Sacramento
University Of California Irvine came in at #9 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $34,871. Students borrow a median of $16,338 to complete this degree.
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Florida State University earned the #10 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 290 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $33,235. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from Florida State University
New York University came in at #11 for general social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 general social sciences degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from New York University earn around $49,016 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for New York University
University Of Oregon landed the #12 spot for general social sciences this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. University Of Oregon graduates 72% of students within six years. About 262 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Oregon earn around $38,147 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,917 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern California earned the #13 position for general social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $33,789 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Southern California
Providence College landed the #14 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 14 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Providence College in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Providence College earn a median of $53,208 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,833.
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College Of San Mateo came in at #15 for general social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. About 183 general social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
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Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Platteville landed the #17 spot for general social sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Platteville. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Platteville awarded about 11 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $56,998 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677.
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Michigan State University earned the #18 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 93 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $46,206. Students borrow a median of $29,198 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for Michigan State University
Towson University landed the #19 spot for general social sciences this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. Towson University awarded about 15 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Towson University earn around $37,934 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #20 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 80 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
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California State University Fullerton came in at #21 for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 13 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $54,471 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525.
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California State University Stanislaus came in at #22 for general social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,149 early in their careers. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $15,446 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University Stanislaus
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #23 for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 61 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $34,678. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University Monterey Bay
University At Buffalo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 177 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $28,844 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from University At Buffalo
Arizona State University placed #25 among the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for Arizona State University
Rest of the Top 50 General Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general social sciences ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 154 schools evaluated.
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).
