by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 198 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,098. Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,306. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,729. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,750. Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Moorpark College earned the #8 position for value in social sciences 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,075. Social Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Skyline College earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,083 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $37,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,083 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $27,904. Set against $15,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Canada College landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Modesto Junior College came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Imperial Valley College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Santa Ana College earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,196. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $7,271. 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 ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,382. Social Sciences graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 198 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.