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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in New York

61 Colleges in the United States
13,320 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$43,284 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their social sciences programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 103 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 New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social sciences education in New York.

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Leading the list is Colgate University, our #1 school for social sciences. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 263 social sciences degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $68,099 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,988. See the full social sciences program report for Colgate University

2

A rank of #2 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for social sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 443 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $75,537 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,395. Read more about the social sciences program at Cornell University

3
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #3. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 236 social sciences degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $74,561 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,325. Get the full social sciences details for Barnard College

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 1,464 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $62,830 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,614. More information about a degree in social sciences from New York University

5

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 1,464 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $76,318. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $28,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Columbia University In The City Of New York

6
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #6 spot for social sciences this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Hamilton College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 141 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Hamilton College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $69,422 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Hamilton College

7
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Yeshiva University

8

University Of Rochester landed the #8 spot for social sciences this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 185 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $55,126 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,566. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Rochester

9
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College earned the #9 position for social sciences this year. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 126 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $64,187 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,623 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Vassar College

10

Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #10 position for social sciences this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Teachers College At Columbia University awarded about 90 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,137. More information about a degree in social sciences from Teachers College At Columbia University

11

Fordham University landed the #11 spot for social sciences this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. Fordham University awarded about 420 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Fordham University earn around $52,059 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Fordham University

12

Suny At Binghamton ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. About 82% of students finish within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 547 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $45,633 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,405. More information about a degree in social sciences from Suny At Binghamton

13

Cuny Lehman College earned the #13 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 218 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Lehman College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $41,771. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Cuny Lehman College

14
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY

Union College New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Union College New York graduates 80% of students within six years. Union College New York awarded about 105 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Union College New York earn a median of $60,017 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,959. More information about a degree in social sciences from Union College New York

15
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 562 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,317. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Cuny Hunter College

16

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #16 for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. About 232 social sciences degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

17
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY

Excelsior College placed #17 among the best social sciences schools. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. Excelsior College awarded about 26 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $70,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,311 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Excelsior College

18

Mount Saint Mary College placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Newburgh. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 31 social sciences degrees were awarded at Mount Saint Mary College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $65,715. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in social sciences from Mount Saint Mary College

19
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College placed #19 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Skidmore College awarded about 98 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Skidmore College earn around $40,475 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,630. Read more about the social sciences program at Skidmore College

20
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #20 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 405 social sciences degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $39,401. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,364 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Stony Brook University

21

University At Buffalo earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 685 social sciences degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $32,895 early in their careers. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $21,640 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for University At Buffalo

22
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 41 social sciences degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Marist College earn a median of $46,068 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,873 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Marist College

23
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Syracuse University awarded about 593 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $49,780 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,206 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Syracuse University

24

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. About 393 social sciences degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $35,522 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,212. Get the full social sciences details for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

25

Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Saint Thomas Aquinas College awarded about 21 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. Saint Thomas Aquinas College graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools

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

26
27
28
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
29
Wagner College crest
Wagner College
Staten Island, NY
30
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
31
32
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY
33
34
35
36
37
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
38
39
40
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
41
42
43
Cuny York College crest
Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY
44
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
45
46
47
48
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
49
50
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Honorable Mentions

A few more social sciences schools worth a look:

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Notes and References

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 · 103 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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