2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in social sciences. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 420 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $84,842 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $12,295 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Stanford University

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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

3

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at University Of California Santa Barbara, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. 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. See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

4

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 143 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Santa Clara University earn around $69,132 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,422 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Santa Clara University

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $47,832 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,858. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Los Angeles

6

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #6 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 805 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $51,646. Students borrow a median of $12,963 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Southern California

7

Claremont Mckenna College
Claremont, CA

Claremont Mckenna College placed #7 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Claremont Mckenna College

8

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #8 for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 1,162 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $42,468 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,743 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of California Davis

9

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College placed #9 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Pomona College awarded about 81 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $70,051. Get the full social sciences details for Pomona College

10

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #10 for social sciences this year. 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. About 25 social sciences degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $54,116 in their early career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Point Loma Nazarene University

11

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #11 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 440 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full social sciences details for San Jose State University

12

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #12 position for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 265 social sciences degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $49,693 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,854 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

13

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #13 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 1,014 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $41,391 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,836 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of California San Diego

14

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #14 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. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,460 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,718. Typical student debt for the program is $16,012. See the full social sciences program report for University Of California Irvine

15

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. 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. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $40,136 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,685. More information about a degree in social sciences from California State University Sacramento

16

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #16 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. California State University East Bay awarded about 247 social sciences degrees 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. Get the full social sciences details for California State University East Bay

17

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for social sciences this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 20 social sciences degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Read more about the social sciences program at California Institute Of Technology

18

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Scripps College placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Scripps College awarded about 40 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full social sciences details for Scripps College

19

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University landed the #19 spot for social sciences this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. About 58% of students finish within six years. Sonoma State University awarded about 158 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $41,823. Students borrow a median of $18,265 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Sonoma State University

20

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 524 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $36,252 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $17,484 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for University Of California Santa Cruz

21

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. About 260 social sciences degrees were awarded at El Camino Community College District in the most recent year. Read more about the social sciences program at El Camino Community College District

22

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #22 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 584 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $34,003 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,701 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for California State University Fullerton

23

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University came in at #23 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 91 social sciences degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $50,055 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,994 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Pepperdine University

24

College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo came in at #24 for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. College Of San Mateo awarded about 246 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for College Of San Mateo

25

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 407 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $38,741. Typical student debt for the program is $15,714. More information about a degree in social sciences from San Francisco State University