by our College Data Analytics TeamSocial Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 1707 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best social sciences schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Leading the list is El Camino Community College District, our #1 school for social sciences. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 260 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in social sciences from El Camino Community College District
A rank of #2 makes College Of San Mateo one of the top schools for social sciences. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. About 246 social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for College Of San Mateo
De Anza College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 262 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. More information about a degree in social sciences from De Anza College
Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Orange Coast College, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Orange Coast College awarded about 153 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $46,306 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. Get the full social sciences details for Orange Coast College
A rank of #5 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for social sciences. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Diablo Valley College awarded about 165 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Diablo Valley College earn around $27,813 in the first couple years of their career. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Diablo Valley College
Utah State University placed #6 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Logan. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 532 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Utah State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Utah State University earn around $54,014 in the first couple years of their career. Utah State University graduates carry a median of $18,051 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Utah State University
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #7 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 482 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $27,691 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. More information about a degree in social sciences from Santa Rosa Junior College
American River College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. About 552 social sciences degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $76,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,105. More information about a degree in social sciences from American River College
Merritt College landed the #9 spot for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oakland. About 78 social sciences degrees were awarded at Merritt College in the most recent year. Merritt College graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Merritt College
Yuba College placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. There were roughly 193 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Yuba College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Yuba College earn around $89,816 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,729. Get the full social sciences details for Yuba College
College Of The Canyons placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 732 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at College Of The Canyons
Pennsylvania Western University placed #12 among the best social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the town of California. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 112 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the social sciences program at Pennsylvania Western University
Cerritos College came in at #13 for social sciences this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. There were roughly 199 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cerritos College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cerritos College earn around $29,495 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. Get the full social sciences details for Cerritos College
Foothill College landed the #14 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 137 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $94,152 in their early career. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Foothill College
Mt San Antonio College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 596 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Mt San Antonio College
East Los Angeles College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. About 1,146 social sciences degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from East Los Angeles College earn around $22,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Read more about the social sciences program at East Los Angeles College
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #17 position for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 268 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Get the full social sciences details for Northern Virginia Community College
Green River Community College placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Green River Community College awarded about 11 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full social sciences details for Green River Community College
Moorpark College came in at #19 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. About 294 social sciences degrees were awarded at Moorpark College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. More information about a degree in social sciences from Moorpark College
Frederick Community College came in at #20 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Frederick Community College awarded about 118 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $32,749 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,848. Get the full social sciences details for Frederick Community College
Santa Barbara City College earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 360 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Santa Barbara City College earn around $68,184 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Santa Barbara City College
Sierra College landed the #22 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. There were roughly 733 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Sierra College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $30,103. Typical student debt for the program is $7,834. More information about a degree in social sciences from Sierra College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #23 position for social sciences this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College awarded about 62 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $16,893 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full social sciences details for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Los Angeles Valley College placed #24 among the best social sciences schools. Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public school located in the city of Valley Glen. There were roughly 324 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Los Angeles Valley College
San Diego Miramar College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 165 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at San Diego Miramar College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences ranking:
These schools also stood out for social sciences:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #82 | Essex County College | Newark, NJ |
| #89 | City College Of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
These schools earned honorable mentions for social sciences:
Explore the best social sciences schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced 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 · 1707 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.