by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Social Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 540 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general social sciences students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
See the highest-ranked general social sciences schools offering a associate’s degree below.
College Of San Mateo is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general social sciences. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. About 153 general social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for College Of San Mateo
De Anza College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 101 general 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. Read more about the general social sciences program at De Anza College
Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at American River College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 400 general social sciences degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at American River College
A rank of #4 makes Santa Rosa Junior College one of the top schools for general social sciences. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 366 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $27,691 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Santa Rosa Junior College
Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at Merritt College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oakland, Merritt College is a large public institution. There were roughly 68 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Merritt College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $11,500. Get the full general social sciences details for Merritt College
Yuba College landed the #6 spot for general social sciences this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. There were roughly 180 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Yuba College in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,729. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Yuba College
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. About 527 general social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at College Of The Canyons
Foothill College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. About 44 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for Foothill College
East Los Angeles College earned the #9 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. There were roughly 952 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $22,947 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the general social sciences program at East Los Angeles College
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 268 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $23,637 in their early career. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Northern Virginia Community College
Mt San Antonio College earned the #11 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 354 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Mt San Antonio College
Frederick Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 118 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Frederick Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $32,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Frederick Community College
Sierra College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 534 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $30,103 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,834 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Sierra College
San Diego Miramar College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 111 general social sciences degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for San Diego Miramar College
Cuesta College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 21 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Cuesta College
Roxbury Community College earned the #16 position for general social sciences this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. There were roughly 11 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Roxbury Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $37,941 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,665. Read more about the general social sciences program at Roxbury Community College
Butte College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. About 283 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Butte College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Butte College earn around $26,482 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,036. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Butte College
Mt San Jacinto Community College District earned the #18 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 85 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Jacinto Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $20,084 in their early career. Mt San Jacinto Community College District graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #19 position for general social sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. There were roughly 26 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Typical student debt for the program is $11,008. See the full general social sciences program report for Massachusetts Bay Community College
Merced College came in at #20 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. There were roughly 188 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Merced College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Merced College earn around $34,168 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,843 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Merced College
Laney College landed the #21 spot for general social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oakland. Laney College awarded about 166 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Laney College
Ohlone Community College placed #22 among the best general social sciences schools. Ohlone Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fremont. Ohlone Community College awarded about 347 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $22,545 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Ohlone Community College
Shasta College landed the #23 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. About 264 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $50,330 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,275. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Shasta College
Crafton Hills College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Yucaipa. There were roughly 59 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Crafton Hills College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Crafton Hills College generally make around $97,976. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at Crafton Hills College
Capital Community College landed the #25 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Capital Community College awarded about 12 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $43,086 in their early career. Capital Community College graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for Capital Community College
These schools also placed among the best for general social sciences this year:
Explore the best general social sciences schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 540 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.