by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 103 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools in California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,098. General Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #3. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Yuba College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,384. General Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
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Imperial Valley College came in at #6 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College placed #7 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College placed #8 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Folsom Lake College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Shasta College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,275. General Social Sciences graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
American River College placed #11 among the best values for general social sciences. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Porterville College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Porterville College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Porterville. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $36,328 ten years out.
Sierra College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,834. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $30,103. That is a strong return on a $7,834 median debt.
De Anza College placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Merced College placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,843. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $34,168. Set against $7,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College came in at #16 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Butte College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,036. General Social Sciences graduates of Butte College earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Woodland Community College earned the #18 position for value in general social sciences this year. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Median earnings reach $40,042 ten years out.
California State University Fullerton placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #20 position for value in general social sciences this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $27,691 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus placed #21 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,446. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $39,149. Set against $15,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #22 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $18,893. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cosumnes River College came in at #23 for value in general social sciences this year. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #24 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Palomar College came in at #25 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 103 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.