by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1707 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in social sciences in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,831. 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.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Camino Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
A rank of #5 makes Yuba College one of the best values for 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, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
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De Anza College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. 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.
Moorpark College earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,848. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Set against $10,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $27,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Sierra College landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $7,834 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $30,103 early in their careers. Set against $7,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
San Diego Mesa College placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #21 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College earned the #24 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
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Explore the best-value social sciences schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1707 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.