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2027 Best Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

176 Colleges in the United States
30,773 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,036 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.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 176 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 Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social sciences education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Leading the list is Georgetown University, our #1 school for social sciences. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 1,410 social sciences degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Georgetown University earn around $72,472 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,003 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Georgetown University

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for social sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 514 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $82,088 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,394 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Pennsylvania

3

Johns Hopkins University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 1,469 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $79,253 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,395. More information about a degree in social sciences from Johns Hopkins University

4
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Princeton. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Princeton University awarded about 378 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $87,076 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

5

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Cornell University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 513 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,566. Students borrow a median of $14,395 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Cornell University

6
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University came in at #6 for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 284 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $68,940. Typical student debt for the program is $16,988. See the full social sciences program report for Colgate University

7
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College came in at #7 for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Barnard College awarded about 251 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $75,704. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $17,325 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Barnard College

8

George Washington University earned the #8 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. George Washington University awarded about 1,370 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from George Washington University earn around $62,705 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $24,409 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for George Washington University

9
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College landed the #9 spot for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. Lafayette College graduates 88% of students within six years. Lafayette College awarded about 217 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Lafayette College earn around $63,935 in the first couple years of their career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $17,044 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Lafayette College

10

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #10 position for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 1,243 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $55,753 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,179 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Maryland College Park

11

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 81 social sciences degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $86,284 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,020. More information about a degree in social sciences from Carnegie Mellon University

12
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 112 social sciences degrees were awarded at Swarthmore College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $67,416 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full social sciences program report for Swarthmore College

13
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,281 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from New York University earn around $62,747 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,614. More information about a degree in social sciences from New York University

14
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #14 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 1,145 social sciences degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American University generally make around $58,081. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at American University

15
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College landed the #15 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. Haverford College awarded about 111 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in social sciences from Haverford College

16
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #16 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 172 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Hamilton College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $68,517. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Hamilton College

17

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #17 spot for social sciences this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,501 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $76,643. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $28,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Columbia University In The City Of New York

18

Weill Cornell Medical College placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 36 social sciences degrees were awarded at Weill Cornell Medical College in the most recent year. See the full social sciences program report for Weill Cornell Medical College

19
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University placed #19 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. Bucknell University awarded about 190 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $64,796. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Bucknell University

20

University Of Rochester landed the #20 spot for social sciences this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Rochester. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 244 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $56,784 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $20,566 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Rochester

21
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University came in at #21 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. Yeshiva University awarded about 28 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $52,838 in their early career. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Yeshiva University

22
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Villanova University awarded about 270 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Villanova University earn around $58,789 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,434. Read more about the social sciences program at Villanova University

23
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #23 for social sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $50,621. Typical student debt for the program is $21,176. See the full social sciences program report for Lehigh University

24
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College earned the #24 position for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 139 social sciences degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $62,143. Typical student debt for the program is $18,623. More information about a degree in social sciences from Vassar College

25

Teachers College At Columbia University placed #25 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 83 social sciences degrees were awarded at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,137. See the full social sciences program report for Teachers College At Columbia University

Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
30
31
32
33
34
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
35
36
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY
37
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA
38
39
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
40
41
42
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
43
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
44
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
45
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
46
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
47
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for social sciences:

View All Social Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 176 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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