2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools

1

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among general social sciences schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,776. General Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.

5

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

Frederick Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $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 landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.

9

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Sierra College
Rocklin, CA

Sierra College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. 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. Set against $7,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College came in at #12 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,176. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Folsom Lake College
Folsom, CA

Folsom Lake College landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.

14

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. 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. 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.

15

Merced College
Merced, CA

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,843 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,168. That is a strong return on a $7,843 median debt.

16

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Porterville College
Porterville, CA

Porterville College placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.

20

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $22,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.

22

Woodland Community College
Woodland, CA

Woodland Community College came in at #22 for value in general social sciences this year. Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Woodland. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,656. Median earnings reach $40,042 ten years out.

23

Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA

Cosumnes River College landed the #23 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,699. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

24

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College earned the #24 position 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.

25

Mt San Jacinto Community College District
San Jacinto, CA

Mt San Jacinto Community College District landed the #25 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $20,084. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.