2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools

1

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

A rank of #3 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for general social sciences. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

4

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

A rank of #5 makes Frederick Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

7

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. 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.

8

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,446 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

11

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

12

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College placed #12 among the best values for general social sciences. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $7,834 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $30,103. Set against $7,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

14

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.

15

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA

Folsom Lake College placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.

17

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College came in at #17 for value in general social sciences this year. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $26,482. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Merced College
Merced, CA

Merced College came in at #18 for value in general social sciences this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,843 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,168. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.

19

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #19 for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,238 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

20

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,500. General Social Sciences graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

21

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

23

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College earned the #23 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Porterville College
Porterville, CA

Porterville College earned the #24 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.

25

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College earned the #25 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,851. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. Set against $5,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.