2027 Best Social Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Social Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social sciences programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 200 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social sciences students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Social Sciences in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Social Sciences
No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for social sciences. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 1,833 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $64,893 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,032 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 454 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $85,873 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $12,295 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at Stanford University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 1,830 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $52,382 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,905 in student loans.
See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Santa Clara University, which ranked #4. 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. Social Sciences graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $69,077 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,422 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Santa Clara University
Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 2,711 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $48,400 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,858.
See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #6 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 162 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $83,552 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full social sciences details for Claremont Mckenna College
San Jose State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 393 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Get the full social sciences details for San Jose State University
University Of Southern California came in at #8 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 998 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Southern California earn around $51,458 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,963 to complete this degree.
Get the full social sciences details for University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 972 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $46,887 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $15,181 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 1,260 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $41,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,743.
See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Davis
De Anza College placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 263 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree.
Get the full social sciences details for De Anza College
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #12 position for social sciences this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 255 social sciences degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $51,353. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,854 in student loans.
Get the full social sciences details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #13 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 27 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $54,116 in the first couple years of their career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Point Loma Nazarene University
University Of California Irvine placed #14 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 1,425 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $37,066. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,012 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Irvine
Pomona College earned the #15 position for social sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 94 social sciences degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $70,051 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Pomona College
University Of California San Diego ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 1,087 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $40,993 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,836 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California San Diego
Scripps College landed the #17 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Scripps College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Scripps College
San Diego State University earned the #18 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 780 social sciences degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $38,680 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,450.
More information about a degree in social sciences from San Diego State University
Pepperdine University came in at #19 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 123 social sciences degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $48,939 early in their careers. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $23,994 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at Pepperdine University
Diablo Valley College placed #20 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Diablo Valley College awarded about 190 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205.
Get the full social sciences details for Diablo Valley College
Claremont Graduate University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Claremont Graduate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. Claremont Graduate University awarded about 51 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Claremont Graduate University earn a median of $68,239 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Claremont Graduate University
California State University Sacramento landed the #22 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 612 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $40,683. Typical student debt for the program is $17,685.
More information about a degree in social sciences from California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 174 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $41,022 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $19,197 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at California State University East Bay
College Of San Mateo placed #24 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. College Of San Mateo awarded about 285 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social sciences program at College Of San Mateo
Sonoma State University came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 132 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Sonoma State University earn around $41,717 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,265 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Sonoma State University
Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong social sciences education:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for social sciences:
- #51 — Oregon State University · Corvallis, OR
- #52 — Ohlone Community College · Fremont, CA
- #53 — San Diego Miramar College · San Diego, CA
- #54 — University Of California Riverside · Riverside, CA
- #55 — Santa Rosa Junior College · Santa Rosa, CA
- #56 — California State University San Bernardino · San Bernardino, CA
- #57 — Fresno Pacific University · Fresno, CA
- #58 — Vanguard University Of Southern California · Costa Mesa, CA
- #59 — College Of The Canyons · Santa Clarita, CA
- #60 — East Los Angeles College · Monterey Park, CA
Narrow Social Sciences Schools by State
More Social Sciences Rankings
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 200 schools evaluated.
- 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.