2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in California. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for social sciences. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,075. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Skyline College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. 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.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the social sciences program here. 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.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. 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.
Canada College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,115 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, 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.
West Valley College earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the social sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Fresno City College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. 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. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College earned the #20 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,643. Social Sciences graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a 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 $6,500. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. 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 $38,498 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.
Santiago Canyon College placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,500. Social Sciences graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 201 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 ranked schools only.
- 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.
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
