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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

23 Colleges in the United States
2,311 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$47,026 Avg Early-Career Salary

General 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 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 92 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:

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Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

Top Schools in General Social Sciences

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in general social sciences. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 298 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Georgetown University earn around $79,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Georgetown University

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 23 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Pennsylvania

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 190 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of New York University earn a median of $49,016 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full general social sciences program report for New York University

5

A rank of #5 makes Montclair State University one of the top schools for general social sciences. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. About 65% of students finish within six years. Montclair State University awarded about 39 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Typical student debt for the program is $25,286. Get the full general social sciences details for Montclair State University

6

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #6 for general social sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Pennsylvania State University World Campus

7

Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #7 position for general social sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn around $43,047 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500. See the full general social sciences program report for Ramapo College Of New Jersey

8

University At Buffalo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 160 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $28,844. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from University At Buffalo

9

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #9 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. About 51 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $72,222 in their early career. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

10
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #10 position for general social sciences this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $37,934 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Towson University

11
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University landed the #11 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 22% of students finish within six years. Wilmington University awarded about 106 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $57,142 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Wilmington University

12
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Adelphi University awarded about 27 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Typical student debt for the program is $26,593. Read more about the general social sciences program at Adelphi University

13

Mount Saint Mary College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Newburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 22 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Mount Saint Mary College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $65,715. Mount Saint Mary College graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the general social sciences program at Mount Saint Mary College

14

Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #14 for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Thomas Aquinas College graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Saint Thomas Aquinas College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $44,519 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for Saint Thomas Aquinas College

15

Thomas Edison State College came in at #15 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Trenton, Thomas Edison State College is a large public university. There were roughly 78 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Edison State College in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Thomas Edison State College earn a median of $44,773 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,384. See the full general social sciences program report for Thomas Edison State College

16

Frederick Community College placed #16 among the best general social sciences schools. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Frederick Community College awarded about 118 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Frederick Community College earn around $32,749 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,848. Get the full general social sciences details for Frederick Community College

17

University Of Maryland University College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. University Of Maryland University College graduates 20% of students within six years. About 182 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Maryland University College earn around $50,557 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,599 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for University Of Maryland University College

18
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College landed the #18 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Mercy College awarded about 69 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $36,726 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Mercy College

19
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Suny Empire State College graduates 36% of students within six years. About 30 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Suny Empire State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Read more about the general social sciences program at Suny Empire State College

20

Trinity Washington University earned the #20 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Trinity Washington University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $56,796 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for Trinity Washington University

21

Brookdale Community College came in at #21 for general social sciences this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Brookdale Community College awarded about 266 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $26,231 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. See the full general social sciences program report for Brookdale Community College

22

Marymount Manhattan College came in at #22 for general social sciences this year. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Marymount Manhattan College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Marymount Manhattan College generally make around $30,533. Marymount Manhattan College graduates carry a median of $25,594 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Marymount Manhattan College

23

Dominican College Of Blauvelt earned the #23 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Dominican College Of Blauvelt awarded about 31 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Dominican College Of Blauvelt earn around $28,351 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full general social sciences program report for Dominican College Of Blauvelt

24
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College landed the #24 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Bard College graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 153 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bard College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $23,302 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,747. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Bard College

25

Essex County College landed the #25 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. About 92 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Essex County College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. Essex County College graduates carry a median of $5,851 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Essex County College

Rest of the Top 29 General Social Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general social sciences ranking:

26
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY
27
28
29

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 92 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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