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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Social Sciences Schools in Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
1,042 General Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$29,598 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Social Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 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 Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general social sciences education in Virginia.

Top Schools in General Social Sciences

1

Northern Virginia Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best general social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 284 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the general social sciences program at Northern Virginia Community College

2
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Radford University earn around $47,271 in the first couple years of their career. Radford University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the general social sciences program at Radford University

3

The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. About 53 general social sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn around $43,988 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete this degree. See the full general social sciences program report for The University Of Virginias College At Wise

4

Virginia Western Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Virginia Western Community College awarded about 64 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general social sciences degree from Virginia Western Community College earn around $19,220 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Virginia Western Community College

5

Tidewater Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general social sciences, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Tidewater Community College awarded about 182 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. General Social Sciences graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,425 early in their careers. Tidewater Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full general social sciences program report for Tidewater Community College

6

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College awarded about 292 general social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. Typical student debt for the program is $12,500. More information about a degree in general social sciences from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

7

Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #7 spot for general social sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Hampton. There were roughly 156 general social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $25,478. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general social sciences details for Thomas Nelson Community College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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