2026 Best Social Sciences Schools

1

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for social sciences. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 683 social sciences degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $73,246 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,990 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Vanderbilt University

2

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #2. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 1,468 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Georgetown University earn around $72,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,003. Read more about the social sciences program at Georgetown University

3

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 494 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Northwestern University earn around $76,642 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,409 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Northwestern University

4

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

A rank of #4 makes Dartmouth College one of the top schools for social sciences. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 348 social sciences degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Dartmouth College earn around $81,161 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,035 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Dartmouth College

5

Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #5 makes Duke University one of the top schools for social sciences. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 482 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $83,484 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,674 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Duke University

6

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #6 spot for social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 1,198 social sciences degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $85,109 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $10,715 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Harvard University

7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #7 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 135 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. Get the full social sciences details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

8

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 829 social sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the social sciences program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

9

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 for social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,747 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $81,818. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $12,395 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Johns Hopkins University

10

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #10 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 650 social sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Brown University earn around $67,026 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,409. Get the full social sciences details for Brown University

11

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 507 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $82,356. Students borrow a median of $13,394 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Pennsylvania

12

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 579 social sciences degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $75,039. Typical student debt for the program is $13,967. More information about a degree in social sciences from Yale University

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for social sciences this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,824 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Chicago earn around $77,662 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,370 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Chicago

14

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #14 for social sciences this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 420 social sciences degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Stanford University earn around $84,842 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,295 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Stanford University

15

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #15 position for social sciences this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,625 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $63,699 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,032 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of California Berkeley

16

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #16 among the best social sciences schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 320 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $53,680 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $15,572 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Washington University In St Louis

17

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 1,792 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $51,927. Students borrow a median of $15,905 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of California Santa Barbara

18

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Princeton University awarded about 353 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $86,946. Typical student debt for the program is $11,250. More information about a degree in social sciences from Princeton University

19

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University earned the #19 position for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hamilton. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 263 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Colgate University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $68,099. Students borrow a median of $16,988 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Colgate University

20

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #20 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 818 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $53,392 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $14,319 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

21

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 443 social sciences degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cornell University earn around $75,537 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,395. Get the full social sciences details for Cornell University

22

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #22 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 593 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $63,079. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

23

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 70 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516. Read more about the social sciences program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

24

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 205 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $39,764 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. Get the full social sciences details for Wesleyan University

25

Bates College
Lewiston, ME

Bates College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lewiston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bates College awarded about 124 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Bates College earn around $59,852 in the first couple years of their career. Bates College graduates carry a median of $12,442 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Bates College