by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 102 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools in California. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. 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. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Yuba College one of the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $8,729. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,384. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Imperial Valley College came in at #6 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. 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 $6,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,234. 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.
Folsom Lake College landed the #9 spot for general social sciences value this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Shasta College placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,275. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,105. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Porterville College placed #12 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.
Sierra College placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $7,834. General Social Sciences graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $30,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Merced College placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $7,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $34,168. Set against $7,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College earned the #16 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,036. 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.
Woodland Community College earned the #18 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,656. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,042.
California State University Fullerton placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $14,692. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #21 spot for general social sciences value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,446. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,149. Set against $15,446 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #22 for value in general social sciences this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,149. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $18,893. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cosumnes River College earned the #23 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno came in at #24 for value in general social sciences this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Palomar College placed #25 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
These schools also delivered strong value for general social sciences this year:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.