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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in Ohio

21 Colleges in the United States
3,566 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$41,267 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Sciences in Ohio

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.

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College tops our 2026 ranking of the best social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 87 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $51,406 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,569 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Kenyon College

2

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #2. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 963 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $44,648 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,322 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

3

Miami University Oxford is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #3. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 344 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $49,015 in their early career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,301 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Miami University Oxford

4
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 12 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $57,104 in their early career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Cedarville University

5

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 251 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $50,746 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,937. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

6
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University earned the #6 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Franklin University graduates 3% of students within six years. There were roughly 148 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Franklin University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $35,890 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Franklin University

7

University Of Dayton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Dayton earn around $34,671 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Dayton

8
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University came in at #8 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Denison University awarded about 109 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Denison University earn a median of $51,337 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Denison University

9
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #9 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 64 social sciences degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $41,710. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,590 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Xavier University

10
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 29 social sciences degrees were awarded at Wittenberg University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $40,093. Wittenberg University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Wittenberg University

11

Case Western Reserve University placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 122 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $53,148 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,975 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Case Western Reserve University

12
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 social sciences degrees were awarded at John Carroll University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $34,824 in their early career. John Carroll University graduates carry a median of $25,701 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from John Carroll University

13

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 270 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $42,685 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Ohio University Main Campus

14

Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #14 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 21 social sciences degrees were awarded at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Franciscan University Of Steubenville

15
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 81% of students finish within six years. Oberlin College awarded about 80 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $49,354 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,719 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Oberlin College

16

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for social sciences this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 110 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $44,910 in their early career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,773 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

17

The College Of Wooster placed #17 among the best social sciences schools. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. The College Of Wooster graduates 74% of students within six years. About 69 social sciences degrees were awarded at The College Of Wooster in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $37,971 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the social sciences program at The College Of Wooster

18

Cleveland State University landed the #18 spot for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 168 social sciences degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $29,230. Cleveland State University graduates carry a median of $25,860 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Cleveland State University

19

University Of Toledo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $32,586. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Toledo

20

Sinclair Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. About 31 social sciences degrees were awarded at Sinclair Community College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Sinclair Community College

21

Kent State University At Kent earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 187 social sciences degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $37,559 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,538. Get the full social sciences details for Kent State University At Kent

22
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University earned the #22 position for social sciences this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. About 60% of students finish within six years. Capital University awarded about 25 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Capital University earn around $39,149 in the first couple years of their career. Capital University graduates carry a median of $26,248 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Capital University

23

Youngstown State University placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 social sciences degrees were awarded at Youngstown State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $28,148. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Youngstown State University

24

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dayton. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 81 social sciences degrees were awarded at Wright State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Wright State University Main Campus earn around $28,266 in the first couple years of their career. Wright State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,048 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Wright State University Main Campus

25
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University placed #25 among the best social sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Ashland. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 10 social sciences degrees were awarded at Ashland University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,738. Read more about the social sciences program at Ashland University

Rest of the Top 28 Social Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for social sciences this year:

26
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Notes and References

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 · 72 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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