Social Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social sciences programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 262 schools to find the best for social sciences students.
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Best Schools for Social Sciences in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in social sciences. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 420 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $84,842. Typical student debt for the program is $12,295.
See the full social sciences program report for Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top schools for social sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 1,625 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $63,699 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,032 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #3. 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. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $51,927 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,905 in student loans.
Get the full social sciences details for University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Clara University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 143 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $69,132. Students borrow a median of $20,422 to complete this degree.
See the full social sciences program report for Santa Clara University
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for social sciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 2,608 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $47,832 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,858 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 805 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $51,646. Typical student debt for the program is $12,963.
Get the full social sciences details for University Of Southern California
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 949 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $46,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,181 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #8 spot for social sciences this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 150 social sciences degrees were awarded at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Claremont Mckenna College earn around $81,342 in the first couple years of their career. Claremont Mckenna College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full social sciences program report for Claremont Mckenna College
University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,162 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,468 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $13,743 in student loans.
See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Davis
Pomona College earned the #10 position for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 81 social sciences degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $70,051 early in their careers.
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Point Loma Nazarene University placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 25 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $54,116 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542.
More information about a degree in social sciences from Point Loma Nazarene University
San Jose State University came in at #12 for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 440 social sciences degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in social sciences from San Jose State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #13 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 265 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $49,693 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,854.
See the full social sciences program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 1,014 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $41,391 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,836.
Get the full social sciences details for University Of California San Diego
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 1,460 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $38,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,012 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Irvine
California State University Sacramento landed the #16 spot for social sciences this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 729 social sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $40,136 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,685.
More information about a degree in social sciences from California State University Sacramento
California State University East Bay landed the #17 spot for social sciences this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 247 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University East Bay in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,197 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in social sciences from California State University East Bay
California Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 20 social sciences degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in social sciences from California Institute Of Technology
Scripps College came in at #19 for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year.
Read more about the social sciences program at Scripps College
Sonoma State University came in at #20 for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 158 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $41,823. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,265 in student loans.
Read more about the social sciences program at Sonoma State University
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #21 for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 524 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $36,252 in their early career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $17,484 in student loans.
See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
El Camino Community College District earned the #22 position for social sciences this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. El Camino Community College District awarded about 260 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full social sciences program report for El Camino Community College District
California State University Fullerton landed the #23 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 584 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,701 to complete this degree.
Get the full social sciences details for California State University Fullerton
Pepperdine University placed #24 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Pepperdine University graduates 83% of students within six years. Pepperdine University awarded about 91 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $50,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,994.
See the full social sciences program report for Pepperdine University
College Of San Mateo came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. College Of San Mateo awarded about 246 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete this degree.
Read more about the social sciences program at College Of San Mateo
Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong social sciences education:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 262 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
