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

24 Colleges in the United States
5,789 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$44,408 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 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 Virginia

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

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for social sciences. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 593 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $63,079. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 344 social sciences degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $50,989. Typical student debt for the program is $18,814. See the full social sciences program report for College Of William And Mary

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 393 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $51,051 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,525 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at James Madison University

4

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 692 social sciences degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $46,351. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $22,737 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Richmond one of the top schools for social sciences. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Richmond awarded about 79 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $57,223 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,033. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Richmond

6

Washington And Lee University came in at #6 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 67 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $71,737. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Washington And Lee University

7

George Mason University landed the #7 spot for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 666 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $57,936. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,282 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from George Mason University

8

Christopher Newport University placed #8 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Christopher Newport University awarded about 140 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $42,797 early in their careers. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $23,669 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Christopher Newport University

9
Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College earned the #9 position for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $38,344. Typical student debt for the program is $26,423. More information about a degree in social sciences from Bridgewater College

10

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 299 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $32,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,041. Get the full social sciences details for Virginia Commonwealth University

11
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College earned the #11 position for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roanoke College graduates 67% of students within six years. Roanoke College awarded about 37 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $38,983. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Roanoke College

12
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington placed #12 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. About 112 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $36,468. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $23,725 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Mary Washington

13

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 284 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $23,637 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500. Read more about the social sciences program at Northern Virginia Community College

14

Old Dominion University placed #14 among the best social sciences schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 315 social sciences degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $34,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,248 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Old Dominion University

15
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College landed the #15 spot for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 52 social sciences degrees were awarded at Lynchburg College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Lynchburg College earn around $107,159 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the social sciences program at Lynchburg College

16

Randolph Macon College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 social sciences degrees were awarded at Randolph Macon College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,990 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in social sciences from Randolph Macon College

17

Virginia Military Institute placed #17 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 101 social sciences degrees were awarded at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $45,674. Students borrow a median of $22,900 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Virginia Military Institute

18
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #18 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 368 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $46,998. Typical student debt for the program is $24,855. See the full social sciences program report for Liberty University

19
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #19 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Radford University awarded about 62 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Radford University earn a median of $34,919 early in their careers. Radford University graduates carry a median of $25,063 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Radford University

20

The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 53 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for The University Of Virginias College At Wise

21
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA

Hampden Sydney College earned the #21 position for social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit university. Hampden Sydney College graduates 62% of students within six years. About 56 social sciences degrees were awarded at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Hampden Sydney College earn a median of $46,617 early in their careers. Hampden Sydney College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Hampden Sydney College

22
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #22 position for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 38 social sciences degrees were awarded at Longwood University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $27,948. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Longwood University

23

Norfolk State University placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Get the full social sciences details for Norfolk State University

24

Virginia Western Community College earned the #24 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 64 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Western Community College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $19,220 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Virginia Western Community College

25

Virginia State University landed the #25 spot for social sciences this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. About 39% of students finish within six years. Virginia State University awarded about 45 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Virginia State University graduates carry a median of $28,638 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Virginia State University

Rest of the Top 33 Social Sciences Schools

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

26
27
28
Mary Baldwin College crest
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA
29
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA
30
31
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
32
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
33

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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 · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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