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2027 Best General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

86 Colleges in the United States
5,078 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,482 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Social Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general social sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the United States

Below are the best general social sciences schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in General Social Sciences

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University tops our 2027 ranking of the best general social sciences schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 293 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $61,389 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. See the full general social sciences program report for Vanderbilt University

2
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,632 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Georgetown University

3
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

A rank of #3 makes Brown University one of the top schools for general social sciences. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 59 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025. Read more about the general social sciences program at Brown University

4

Northwestern University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 16 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. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Read more about the general social sciences program at Northwestern University

5
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 22 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for University Of Pennsylvania

6
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #6 among the best general social sciences schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 205 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Harvard University earn around $56,540 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Harvard University

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for general social sciences this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 60 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $57,538 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $20,559 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

8

California State University Sacramento landed the #8 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 20 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $39,061 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,194. Get the full general social sciences details for California State University Sacramento

9

University Of California Irvine came in at #9 for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 41 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $34,871 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,338 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for University Of California Irvine

10
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish 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. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $33,235 in their early career. 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

11
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #11 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 65 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from New York University generally make around $49,016. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the general social sciences program at New York University

12

University Of Oregon came in at #12 for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish 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. Get the full general social sciences details for University Of Oregon

13

University Of Southern California earned the #13 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 116 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Southern California earn around $33,789 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for University Of Southern California

14
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College landed the #14 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Providence College graduates 86% of students within six years. About 14 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Providence College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $53,208 in their early career. Providence College graduates carry a median of $26,833 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Providence College

15

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #15 for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 38 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Ohio State University Main Campus

16

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #16 for general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Platteville awarded about 11 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $56,998. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Read more about the general social sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville

17
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #17 for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $46,206 early in their careers. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $29,198 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for Michigan State University

18
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #18 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Towson University graduates 70% of students within six years. Towson University awarded about 15 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $37,934 in their early career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Towson University

19

Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #19 among the best general social sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 80 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data 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. Read more about the general social sciences program at Ramapo College Of New Jersey

20

California State University Fullerton came in at #20 for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 13 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Read more about the general social sciences program at California State University Fullerton

21

California State University Stanislaus came in at #21 for general social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from California State University Stanislaus earn around $39,149 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $15,446 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for California State University Stanislaus

22

California State University Monterey Bay landed the #22 spot for general social sciences this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 61 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $34,678 in their early career. 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

23

University At Buffalo landed the #23 spot for general social sciences this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 176 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University At Buffalo earn around $28,844 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for University At Buffalo

24

Arizona State University placed #24 among the best general social sciences schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 17 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $55,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for Arizona State University

25

Washington State University earned the #25 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 207 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $43,069 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,409 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for Washington State University

Rest of the Top 50 General Social Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general social sciences this year:

26
27
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
28
29
30
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
31
32
33
34
35
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
36
37
38
39
40
41
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
42
43
44
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
45
46
47
48
49
50
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best general social sciences schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Social Sciences
Associate's Degrees in General Social Sciences
Master's Degrees in General Social Sciences

View All General Social Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 86 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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