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2027 Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania

54 Colleges in the United States
5,598 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$45,717 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. 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 54 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 Pennsylvania

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

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Leading the list is University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 school for social sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 514 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $82,088 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $13,394 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Pennsylvania

2
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lafayette College awarded about 217 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $63,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,044. Read more about the social sciences program at Lafayette College

3

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 81 social sciences degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $86,284 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,020 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Carnegie Mellon University

4
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Swarthmore College graduates 92% of students within six years. Swarthmore College awarded about 112 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $67,416 early in their careers. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Swarthmore College

5
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

A rank of #5 makes Haverford College one of the top schools for social sciences. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Haverford College in the most recent data year. Read more about the social sciences program at Haverford College

6
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bucknell University awarded about 190 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $64,796 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Bucknell University

7
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University earned the #7 position for social sciences this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Villanova University

8
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University earned the #8 position 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. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $50,621 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,176. Read more about the social sciences program at Lehigh University

9
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College earned the #9 position for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Carlisle. Dickinson College graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 108 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dickinson College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Dickinson College earn around $47,734 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. More information about a degree in social sciences from Dickinson College

10

Franklin And Marshall College came in at #10 for social sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lancaster. Franklin And Marshall College graduates 84% of students within six years. About 62 social sciences degrees were awarded at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Franklin And Marshall College generally make around $48,258. Students borrow a median of $20,893 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Franklin And Marshall College

11
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College came in at #11 for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gettysburg. Gettysburg College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 118 social sciences degrees were awarded at Gettysburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $53,468. Typical student debt for the program is $26,227. More information about a degree in social sciences from Gettysburg College

12

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 751 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $48,922 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,160 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #13 spot for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 520 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $43,062 early in their careers. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,599 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

14

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 82 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in social sciences from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

15
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 86 social sciences degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $39,638 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,192 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Saint Josephs University

16
Waynesburg University crest
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, PA

Waynesburg University earned the #16 position for social sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waynesburg. Waynesburg University graduates 66% of students within six years. About 17 social sciences degrees were awarded at Waynesburg University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $55,588 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full social sciences program report for Waynesburg University

17
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duquesne University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $25,460 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Duquesne University

18

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 404 social sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $58,264 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates carry a median of $26,128 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus

19
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 78% of students finish within six years. Drexel University awarded about 92 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $70,333 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,946 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Drexel University

20
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #20 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 268 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Temple University earn a median of $39,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,402 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Temple University

21

University Of Scranton landed the #21 spot for social sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $56,861 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Scranton

22
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College earned the #22 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. Muhlenberg College awarded about 30 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Muhlenberg College generally make around $38,658. Muhlenberg College graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Muhlenberg College

23
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University came in at #23 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Wilkes University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Wilkes University earn around $36,814 in the first couple years of their career. Wilkes University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Wilkes University

24
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College landed the #24 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $35,668 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Bryn Mawr College

25
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College earned the #25 position for social sciences this year. Set in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grove City College awarded about 24 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in social sciences from Grove City College

Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools

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

26
27
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA
28
29
Lycoming College crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA
30
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA
31
32
Westminster College Pa crest
Westminster College Pa
New Wilmington, PA
33
34
35
36
37
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA
38
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA
47
48
49
Cedar Crest College crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA
50

View All Social Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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