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2027 Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

773 Colleges in the United States
101,564 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$47,577 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 773 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best social sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Social Sciences in the United States

See the highest-ranked social sciences schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in social sciences. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 578 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $72,774 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,990 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Vanderbilt University

2

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #2. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,059 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $84,416 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,370 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Chicago

3
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 422 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $82,805 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,674. See the full social sciences program report for Duke University

4

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 407 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $77,430 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,409 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Northwestern University

5

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 287 social sciences degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $54,001 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $15,572 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Washington University In St Louis

6
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #6 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 790 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $85,799 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,715 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Harvard University

7
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #7 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 808 social sciences degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $68,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,003. Read more about the social sciences program at Georgetown University

8
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College placed #8 among the best social sciences schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 332 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $77,576 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,035. See the full social sciences program report for Dartmouth College

9

Johns Hopkins University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 287 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $74,346. Students borrow a median of $12,395 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Johns Hopkins University

10
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University came in at #10 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 482 social sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $67,754 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,409. See the full social sciences program report for Brown University

11
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #11 position for social sciences this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 421 social sciences degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Yale University earn a median of $75,237 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $13,967 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Yale University

12
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #12 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 414 social sciences degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Tufts University earn around $70,300 in the first couple years of their career. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $17,129 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Tufts University

13
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #13 spot for social sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Princeton University awarded about 265 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $88,074 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Princeton University

14
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #14 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 417 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $81,289. Typical student debt for the program is $13,394. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Pennsylvania

15
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 317 social sciences degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $85,343 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $12,295 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Stanford University

16

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #16 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 777 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $54,410 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,319 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

17

University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 1,745 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $65,217 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,032 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for University Of California Berkeley

18

Cornell University landed the #18 spot for social sciences this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 341 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,026 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,395. More information about a degree in social sciences from Cornell University

19
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University came in at #19 for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 284 social sciences degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $68,940 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,988 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Colgate University

20

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #20 spot for social sciences this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,760 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $52,347 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,905 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Santa Barbara

21
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 464 social sciences degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $67,184. Students borrow a median of $18,208 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Boston College

22

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #22 for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 629 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $65,755 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

23
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 169 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $69,077. Students borrow a median of $20,422 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Santa Clara University

24
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University placed #24 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 225 social sciences degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Wesleyan University

25
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 178 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bowdoin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $69,435 in their early career. Bowdoin College graduates carry a median of $19,555 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Bowdoin College

Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong social sciences education:

26
Bates College crest
Bates College
Lewiston, ME
27
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT
28
29
30
31
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA
32
33
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
34
35
36
37
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY
38
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
39
40
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
41
42
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
43
44
45
46
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
47
48
49
50
Bentley University crest
Bentley University
Waltham, MA

Additional Social Sciences Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for social sciences:

Rank School Location
#51 New York University New York, NY
#52 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
#53 Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA
#54 Texas A And M University College Station College Station, TX
#55 Amherst College Amherst, MA
#56 Purdue University Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
#57 Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Blacksburg, VA
#58 Kenyon College Gambier, OH
#59 American University Washington, DC
#60 James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
#61 University Of California Irvine Irvine, CA
#62 Pomona College Claremont, CA
#63 Trinity College Hartford, CT
#64 Samford University Birmingham, AL
#65 Haverford College Haverford, PA
#66 Hamilton College Clinton, NY
#67 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
#68 The University Of Texas At Austin Austin, TX
#69 Emory University Atlanta, GA
#70 Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
#71 University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Champaign, IL
#72 University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
#73 University Of Richmond University of Richmond, VA
#74 University Of California San Diego La Jolla, CA
#75 University Of Georgia Athens, GA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for social sciences:

Other Social Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best social sciences schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Social Sciences
Associate's Degrees in Social Sciences
Master's Degrees in Social Sciences

View All Social Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 773 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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