2026 Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
General Social Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 121 schools to find the best for general social sciences students.
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Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general social sciences education in the Far Western Region.
Top Schools in General Social Sciences
California State University Sacramento tops our 2026 ranking of the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $39,061 early in their careers. 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 Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $33,789. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 47 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $57,538 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,559.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $34,871 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,338 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at University Of Oregon, which ranked #5. 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. There were roughly 249 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data 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. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,917 in student loans.
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California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for general social sciences this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 39 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general social sciences program at California State University Fullerton
College Of San Mateo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 153 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
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California State University Stanislaus came in at #8 for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 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.
See the full general social sciences program report for California State University Stanislaus
Washington State University placed #9 among the best general social sciences schools. 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 228 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,409.
See the full general social sciences program report for Washington State University
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $34,678 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
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De Anza College came in at #11 for general social sciences this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. De Anza College awarded about 101 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from De Anza College
American River College placed #12 among the best general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. American River College awarded about 400 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree.
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California State University Chico earned the #13 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 61 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $36,382 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University Chico
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 366 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $27,691. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
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California State University San Bernardino placed #15 among the best general social sciences schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 52 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $18,893. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University San Bernardino
California State University San Marcos placed #16 among the best general social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. California State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $37,446 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,719.
See the full general social sciences program report for California State University San Marcos
Merritt College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Merritt College is a large public school located in the city of Oakland. There were roughly 68 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Merritt College in the most recent data year. Merritt College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans.
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Yuba College placed #18 among the best general social sciences schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Yuba College awarded about 180 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Yuba College earn around $89,816 in the first couple years of their career. Yuba College graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans.
See the full general social sciences program report for Yuba College
San Diego State University landed the #19 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 42 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from San Diego State University earn around $23,704 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,915.
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Central Washington University landed the #20 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. About 54% of students finish within six years. Central Washington University awarded about 44 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $42,332 early in their careers. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $26,181 in student loans.
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College Of The Canyons placed #21 among the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 529 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $51,913 in their early career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
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Foothill College placed #22 among the best general social sciences schools. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 44 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans.
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California State University Fresno landed the #23 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. California State University Fresno graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Fresno awarded about 14 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for California State University Fresno
East Los Angeles College earned the #24 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. About 952 general social sciences degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from East Los Angeles College earn around $22,947 in the first couple years of their career. East Los Angeles College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans.
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Mt San Antonio College earned the #25 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. About 354 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,384.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general social sciences education:
Narrow General Social Sciences Schools by State
More General Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 121 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
