by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 262 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the social sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Oxnard College placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Skyline College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,999. Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,115. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $32,763 early in their careers. Set against $12,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Yuba College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
West Valley College landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Saddleback College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $7,234. Social Sciences graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $38,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Golden West College came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the social sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 262 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.