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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

28 Colleges in the United States
7,076 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$54,467 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 58 schools to find the best for social sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Social Sciences in Massachusetts

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

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

No school ranked higher than Harvard University this year for social sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 1,198 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Harvard University earn around $85,109 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,715 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Harvard University

2

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516. Read more about the social sciences program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

3
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 591 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $70,054 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,129 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Tufts University

4
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. Boston College awarded about 584 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Boston College earn a median of $68,122 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,208 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Boston College

5
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 147 social sciences degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Wellesley College earn around $71,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,727 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Wellesley College

6
Bentley University crest
Bentley University
Waltham, MA

Bentley University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Waltham, Bentley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bentley University graduates 87% of students within six years. Bentley University awarded about 13 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bentley University generally make around $76,110. Bentley University graduates carry a median of $25,476 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Bentley University

7
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College came in at #7 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 139 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Williams College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $79,134. Williams College graduates carry a median of $12,034 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Williams College

8

Northeastern University Global Network earned the #8 position for social sciences this year. Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 77 social sciences degrees were awarded at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Northeastern University Global Network earn a median of $78,054 early in their careers. Northeastern University Global Network graduates carry a median of $22,579 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Northeastern University Global Network

9
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. About 100 social sciences degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Amherst College earn around $86,897 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,662. Get the full social sciences details for Amherst College

10

College Of The Holy Cross placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. College Of The Holy Cross graduates 87% of students within six years. About 263 social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $58,751 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,886. Read more about the social sciences program at College Of The Holy Cross

11

Northeastern University placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 519 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $64,178 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,053 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Northeastern University

12

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #12 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 772 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $47,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,424. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

13
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #13 among the best social sciences schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 893 social sciences degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $50,765 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,156 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Boston University

14
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #14 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Northampton. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 97 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Smith College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Smith College earn a median of $55,659 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Smith College

15
Stonehill College crest
Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College landed the #15 spot for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stonehill College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Stonehill College earn a median of $48,120 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,406. See the full social sciences program report for Stonehill College

16

Brandeis University earned the #16 position for social sciences this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 234 social sciences degrees were awarded at Brandeis University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Brandeis University earn around $57,806 in the first couple years of their career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,327 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Brandeis University

17
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College placed #17 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Hadley. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 77 social sciences degrees were awarded at Mount Holyoke College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $36,649. Mount Holyoke College graduates carry a median of $20,811 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Mount Holyoke College

18
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lasell College awarded about 56 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $88,950. Lasell College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Lasell College

19

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 105 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $47,480 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,169 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

20
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Clark University graduates 77% of students within six years. About 122 social sciences degrees were awarded at Clark University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Clark University earn a median of $34,831 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,013. More information about a degree in social sciences from Clark University

21
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 43 social sciences degrees were awarded at Assumption College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $46,728 early in their careers. Assumption College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Assumption College

22
Roxbury Community College crest
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College landed the #22 spot for social sciences this year. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. About 11 social sciences degrees were awarded at Roxbury Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Roxbury Community College earn around $37,941 in the first couple years of their career. Roxbury Community College graduates carry a median of $11,665 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Roxbury Community College

23

Worcester State University placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Worcester State University awarded about 39 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $41,263 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Worcester State University

24

Suffolk University landed the #24 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suffolk University awarded about 107 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Suffolk University earn around $43,625 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,998. Get the full social sciences details for Suffolk University

25

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth awarded about 98 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $36,714. Students borrow a median of $25,099 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Rest of the Top 36 Social Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences ranking:

26
27
28
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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