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

6 Colleges in the United States
381 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$49,515 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Social Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general social sciences programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 491 schools to find the best for general social sciences students.

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 master’s degree below.

Top Schools in General Social Sciences

1

Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 school for general social sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

2

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 168 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $53,788. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. Read more about the general social sciences program at University Of Chicago

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top schools for general social sciences. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 31 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $72,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Cuny Graduate School And University Center

4

A rank of #4 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the top schools for general social sciences. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $52,274 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,546. Read more about the general social sciences program at Ohio University Main Campus

5

Austin Peay State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #5. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Austin Peay State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $44,360. Austin Peay State University graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Get the full general social sciences details for Austin Peay State University

6
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College placed #6 among the best general social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bard College graduates 68% of students within six years. About 32 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Bard College in the most recent year. General Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $23,302 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Bard College

7

Troy University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the town of Troy. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Troy University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $36,547 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,125 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Troy University

8
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University earned the #8 position for general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. Bellevue University awarded about 33 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general social sciences program make about $45,614 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $34,734. Get the full general social sciences details for Bellevue University

9

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #9 among the best general social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 22 general social sciences degrees were awarded at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn around $45,300 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University

10

Grambling State University placed #10 among the best general social sciences schools. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Grambling State University in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $34,975 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $40,941 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general social sciences from Grambling State University

Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best general social sciences schools at other degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 491 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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