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.
College Factual analyzed 491 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general social sciences schools.
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Choosing a Great General Social Sciences School
The general social sciences program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best General Social Sciences Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best General Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for General Social Sciences in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for general social sciences. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 304 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University 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. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong general social sciences program will find one at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 163 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $56,540. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general social sciences program at Harvard University
Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #3. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 42 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
See the full general social sciences program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
California State University Sacramento came in at #4 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. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 general social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $39,061 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $16,194 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for general social sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 198 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $53,788 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
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University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 29 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 47 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $57,538. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $20,559 in student loans.
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University Of California Irvine earned the #8 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 23 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $34,871 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,338.
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University Of Oregon came in at #9 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. About 249 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $38,147 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,917.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from University Of Oregon
Florida State University earned the #10 position for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 292 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data 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.
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New York University ranked #11 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. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 40 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from New York University earn around $49,016 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full general social sciences program report for New York University
Providence College came in at #12 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. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $53,208 in their early career. Providence College graduates carry a median of $26,833 in student loans.
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Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for general social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 33 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree.
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Michigan State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. About 76 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Michigan State University earn around $46,206 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,198.
More information about a degree in general social sciences from Michigan State University
California State University Fullerton earned the #15 position for general social sciences this year. 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. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
See the full general social sciences program report for California State University Fullerton
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #16 among the best general social sciences schools. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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
College Of San Mateo came in at #17 for general social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. About 153 general social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
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Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #18 for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 57 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent 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. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans.
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University At Buffalo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. 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. About 160 general social sciences degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
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California State University Stanislaus placed #20 among the best general social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Turlock. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $39,149 early in their careers. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $15,446 in student loans.
See the full general social sciences program report for California State University Stanislaus
Washington State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 228 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Washington State University earn around $43,069 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,409 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #22 position for general social sciences this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 31 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921.
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California State University Monterey Bay landed the #23 spot for general social sciences this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 83 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $34,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000.
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Towson University earned the #24 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. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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University Of North Texas placed #25 among the best general social sciences schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. 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.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Social Sciences Schools
These schools also placed among the best for general social sciences this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 491 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).