by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 162 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 California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 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 Moorpark College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Yuba College one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,729. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
West Valley College placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. 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.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 #9 spot for social sciences value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,288. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,083 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $37,655. Set against $12,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Santa Monica College placed #13 among the best values for social sciences. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. 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.
Imperial Valley College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,176. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Modesto Junior College placed #18 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #20 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. 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 $20,250. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. 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.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,382. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,191. Social Sciences graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Shasta College placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
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 · 162 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 162 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.