by our College Data Analytics TeamSocial Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 160 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social sciences students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
See the highest-ranked social sciences schools offering a associate’s degree below.
Leading the list is De Anza College, our #1 school for social sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. About 263 social sciences degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at De Anza College
Diablo Valley College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 180 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $27,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Diablo Valley College
College Of San Mateo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #3. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 285 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for College Of San Mateo
Utah State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Logan. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 602 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $54,576 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,051 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Utah State University
A rank of #5 makes Orange Coast College one of the top schools for social sciences. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Orange Coast College awarded about 157 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Orange Coast College
West Valley College placed #6 among the best social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga. There were roughly 251 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at West Valley College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. West Valley College graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at West Valley College
Ohlone Community College placed #7 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fremont, Ohlone Community College is a large public institution. Ohlone Community College awarded about 457 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $22,545 in their early career. Ohlone Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Ohlone Community College
San Diego Miramar College earned the #8 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. San Diego Miramar College awarded about 160 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for San Diego Miramar College
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 468 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $27,691 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
College Of The Canyons landed the #10 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. About 652 social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $51,913 in their early career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for College Of The Canyons
East Los Angeles College placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Monterey Park. There were roughly 1,237 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $22,947 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for East Los Angeles College
Roxbury Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. Roxbury Community College awarded about 15 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Roxbury Community College generally make around $37,941. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Roxbury Community College
Merritt College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oakland. Merritt College awarded about 76 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Merritt College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Merritt College
West Texas A And M University came in at #14 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 78 social sciences degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $43,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at West Texas A And M University
Foothill College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Foothill College awarded about 162 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $94,152 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Foothill College
Yuba College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 211 social sciences degrees were awarded at Yuba College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Yuba College earn around $89,816 in the first couple years of their career. Yuba College graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Yuba College
Cerritos College earned the #17 position for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 290 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Cerritos College
Saint Peters College earned the #18 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Peters College awarded about 43 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Saint Peters College earn around $50,944 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Peters College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Saint Peters College
Green River Community College landed the #19 spot for social sciences this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. There were roughly 15 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Green River Community College in the most recent data year. Read more about the social sciences program at Green River Community College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #20 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 79 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn around $16,893 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Paris Junior College earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Paris. Paris Junior College awarded about 26 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Paris Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Paris Junior College
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #22 spot for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. About 256 social sciences degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the social sciences program at Northern Virginia Community College
Mission College placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. About 85 social sciences degrees were awarded at Mission College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $17,223. Get the full social sciences details for Mission College
American River College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. There were roughly 508 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for American River College
Woodland Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Woodland Community College awarded about 220 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full social sciences details for Woodland Community College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences ranking:
These schools earned honorable mentions for social sciences:
Explore the best social sciences schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 160 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.