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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences

464 Colleges in the United States
16,724 Master's Degrees
$51,616 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your master's degree in social sciences, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #9 in the country in terms of popularity. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual looked at 464 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 16,724 master's degrees in social sciences during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Social Sciences School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in social sciences matters. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences ranking is to help you make that choice.

A high popularity ranking isn't always a sign that a school has a great overall quality ranking for social sciences, but it does mean that many students are choosing the school for some reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

Associate Degrees in Social Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Social Sciences
Doctor's Degrees in Social Sciences
Overall Popularity in Social Sciences

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for social sciences.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in social sciences. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Social Sciences Students Working on Their Master's

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1,031 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Johns Hopkins University is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in social sciences. Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Maryland.

There were about 1,031 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Johns Hopkins University

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608 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#2 Best Quality In DC

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at George Washington University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in social sciences. Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in District of Columbia.

There were about 608 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from George Washington University

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488 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Columbia University in the City of New York is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in social sciences. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in New York.

There were approximately 488 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Columbia University in the City of New York

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Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
472 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In DC
#1 Best Quality In DC

Georgetown University is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in social sciences. Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in District of Columbia.

There were about 472 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Georgetown University

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The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
390 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In DC
#3 Best Quality In DC

Located in the city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in District of Columbia.

There were about 390 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from American University

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383 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Illinois.

There were about 383 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Chicago

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Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
279 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#3 Best Quality In MA

Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Massachusetts.

There were about 279 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tufts in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Tufts University

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264 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#5 Best Quality In NY

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in New York.

There were about 264 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from New York University

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264 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type

Naval Postgraduate School is a small public school located in the suburb of Monterey.

There were roughly 264 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Naval Postgraduate School in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Naval Postgraduate School

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239 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#8 Best Quality In MA

Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Massachusetts.

There were about 239 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Boston University

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238 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#1 Best Quality In WI

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Wisconsin.

There were roughly 238 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Wisconsin - Madison

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224 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#2 Best Quality In TX

Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Texas.

There were about 224 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Texas A&M University - College Station

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Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
202 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

Located in the medium-sized city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Massachusetts.

There were about 202 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Harvard University

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175 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MA
#7 Best Quality In MA

Brandeis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Waltham. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 175 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Brandeis University

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175 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#4 Best Quality In VA

Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Virginia.

There were approximately 175 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from George Mason University

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174 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MD
#2 Best Quality In MD

Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Maryland.

There were about 174 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Maryland - College Park

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Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
166 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Duke is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in North Carolina.

There were about 166 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Duke University

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161 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#3 Best Quality In CO

DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Denver. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Colorado.

There were approximately 161 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at DU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Denver

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Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
157 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
#1 Best Quality In CT

Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of New Haven. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Connecticut.

There were roughly 157 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Yale University

20
149 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in California.

There were approximately 149 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Southern California

21
144 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Florida State is a very large public university located in the city of Tallahassee. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Florida.

There were approximately 144 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from Florida State University

22
142 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#5 Best Quality In CA

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in California.

There were approximately 142 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of California - Los Angeles

23
140 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#6 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in California.

There were approximately 140 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of California - San Diego

24
134 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#2 Best Quality In AZ

University of Arizona is a very large public university located in the large city of Tucson. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Arizona.

There were roughly 134 social sciences individuals who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Arizona

25
125 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#3 Best Quality In TX

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the city of Austin. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in social sciences in Texas.

There were roughly 125 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in social sciences from The University of Texas at Austin

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New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
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Norwich crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT

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Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Additional Award Winners

This section represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 464 different United States social sciences schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
47The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX
51University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
52Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH
52Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
52St John’s University - New YorkQueens, NY
55University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY
55Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
55Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL
58DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
58University of KentuckyLexington, KY
60North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
60Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA
62University of HoustonHouston, TX
63Fordham UniversityBronx, NY
64University of Washington - Seattle CampusSeattle, WA
65California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
66University of South Florida - Main CampusTampa, FL
66Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
66Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX
69Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences award.

RankCollegeLocation
70Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA
71Lasell UniversityNewton, MA
72University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
72University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
72University of FloridaGainesville, FL
75East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
76University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
76Rutgers University - New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ
76University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT
76The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX
76Georgia Institute of Technology - Main CampusAtlanta, GA
76Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
82University at AlbanyAlbany, NY
82Clark UniversityWorcester, MA
82University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
82University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN
82University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
87California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
87University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
89Rice UniversityHouston, TX
89University of California - Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA
89Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI
92Regis UniversityDenver, CO
92Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA
92Institute of World PoliticsWashington, DC
92Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO
92University of Massachusetts - LowellLowell, MA

Social Sciences by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Social Sciences Majors to Study

MajorAnnual Graduates
International Relations & National Security4,553
Economics4,493
Political Science & Government1,850
Sociology1,311
Geography & Cartography1,291
Anthropology1,045
Criminology783
General Social Sciences631
Other Social Sciences369
Urban Studies300

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Education151,132
Psychology30,283
Communication & Journalism10,736
Library Science4,965
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences3,282
History3,202
Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies1,546

Notes and References

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