General Social Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 540 schools to find the best for general social sciences students.
Where you study general social sciences matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for General Social Sciences rankings. For our Best Overall General Social Sciences School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. 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 have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on 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 tops our 2026 ranking of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 317 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $61,389. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
See the full general social sciences program report for Vanderbilt University
Georgetown University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 298 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from Georgetown University
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for general social sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 22 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
See the full general social sciences program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #4. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 175 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 23 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $99,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Connecticut earned the #6 position for general social sciences this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general social sciences program at University Of Connecticut
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #7 position for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 10 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
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Harvard University earned the #8 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 302 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $56,540. Typical student debt for the program is $19,937.
Read more about the general social sciences program at Harvard University
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #9 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 190 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $86,770 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
Get the full general social sciences details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 24 general social sciences degrees 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.
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University Of Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 770 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $53,788. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
See the full general social sciences program report for University Of Chicago
University Of Kentucky placed #12 among the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 21 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kentucky in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for general social sciences this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 40 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $33,789 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 47 general social sciences degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,559.
See the full general social sciences program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Irvine came in at #15 for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 23 general social sciences degrees 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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The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #16 among the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 13 general social sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $58,507 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,531.
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University Of Oregon ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 249 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $38,147. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,917 in student loans.
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Emory University placed #18 among the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. Emory University awarded about 221 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $67,840 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from Emory University
Florida State University landed the #19 spot for general social sciences this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 292 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. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for Florida State University
New York University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 40 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Providence College landed the #21 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 18 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Providence College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Providence College earn around $53,208 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree.
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Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot for general social sciences this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 33 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $58,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053.
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Montclair State University landed the #23 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Montclair. About 65% of students finish within six years. Montclair State University awarded about 39 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Montclair State University earn around $44,369 in the first couple years of their career. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans.
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Michigan State University landed the #24 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 76 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
California State University Fullerton landed the #25 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 39 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University Fullerton
Rest of the Top 50 General Social Sciences Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general social sciences this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 540 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).
