2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in California

1

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among 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, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

A rank of #2 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for social sciences. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

4

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,075. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

5

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

6

Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.

7

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

8

San Diego Mesa College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Mesa College came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

11

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,115 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

12

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. 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.

13

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the social sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

17

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA

Imperial Valley College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. 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 social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

19

Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College earned the #20 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, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,643. Social Sciences graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $6,500. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

24

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,083 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $38,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,083 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

25

Santiago Canyon College
Orange, CA

Santiago Canyon College placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,500. Social Sciences graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.