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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

76 Colleges in the United States
5,140 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,092 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Social Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general social sciences programs.

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:

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Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the United States

See the highest-ranked general social sciences schools offering a bachelor’s degree below.

Top Schools in General Social Sciences

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general social sciences. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 317 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $61,389 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Vanderbilt University

2
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 68 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $79,632 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Georgetown University

3
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at Brown University, which ranked #3. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Brown University

4
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 #4. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 14 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Pennsylvania

5
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #5. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. About 302 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $56,540 in their early career. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $19,937 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Harvard University

6

California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 24 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $39,061 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,194. Get the full general social sciences details for California State University Sacramento

7

University Of Southern California landed the #7 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 40 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $33,789 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for University Of Southern California

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 47 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $57,538 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,559. More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

9

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $34,871 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $16,338 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of California Irvine

10

University Of Oregon landed the #10 spot for general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 249 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $38,147 in their early career. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,917 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for University Of Oregon

11
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #11 position for general social sciences this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 292 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $33,235 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Florida State University

12
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #12 for general social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is 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. Read more about the general social sciences program at New York University

13
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College earned the #13 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Providence College graduates 86% of students within six years. About 18 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Providence College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Providence College generally make around $53,208. Students borrow a median of $26,833 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at Providence College

14

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 33 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $58,088 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053. Read more about the general social sciences program at Ohio State University Main Campus

15
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #15 among the best general social sciences schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 76 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $46,206. Students borrow a median of $29,198 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Michigan State University

16

California State University Fullerton ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 39 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $54,471 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at California State University Fullerton

17

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #17 spot for general social sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. About 37 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. See the full general social sciences program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

18

Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Ramapo College Of New Jersey

19

University At Buffalo landed the #19 spot for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 160 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $28,844 in their early career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for University At Buffalo

20

California State University Stanislaus earned the #20 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 49 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $39,149. Typical student debt for the program is $15,446. More information about a degree in general social sciences from California State University Stanislaus

21

Washington State University landed the #21 spot for general social sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 228 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $43,069. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $25,409 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for Washington State University

22

California State University Monterey Bay came in at #22 for general social sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $34,678. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Read more about the general social sciences program at California State University Monterey Bay

23
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Towson University awarded about 22 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $37,934 in their early career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for Towson University

24

University Of North Texas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $34,679 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for University Of North Texas

25
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Wilmington University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,054. Get the full general social sciences details for Wilmington University

Rest of the Top 50 General Social Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general social sciences this year:

26
27
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
28
29
30
31
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
32
33
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
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49
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for general social sciences:

Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare General Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Social Sciences
Associate's Degrees in General Social Sciences
Master's Degrees in General Social Sciences
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View All General Social Sciences Rankings >

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Notes and References

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.

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