2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

Our analysis ranked Rice University the best school in the country for a degree in social sciences. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Rice University awarded about 163 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Rice University earn around $73,579 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,289. See the full social sciences program report for Rice University

2

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #2. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 269 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $67,688. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $21,103 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Southern Methodist University

3

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 1,134 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $55,928 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,711 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for social sciences. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 1,149 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $54,214 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,783. Get the full social sciences details for Texas A And M University College Station

5

University Of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at University Of Tulsa, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Tulsa awarded about 31 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $66,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Tulsa

6

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University placed #6 among the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 221 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Texas Christian University earn around $53,129 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,052 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Texas Christian University

7

Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University came in at #7 for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Oklahoma City University awarded about 17 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $58,379 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,248. See the full social sciences program report for Oklahoma City University

8

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #8 for social sciences this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 942 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $46,217 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,441. See the full social sciences program report for Arizona State University

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 333 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $44,661 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,025. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

10

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #10 for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 275 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $41,559 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,652 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for The University Of Texas At Dallas

11

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. About 30 social sciences degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $50,532 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,222. Get the full social sciences details for Tarleton State University

12

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University landed the #12 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. Abilene Christian University awarded about 21 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $56,463 in their early career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Abilene Christian University

13

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University placed #13 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 268 social sciences degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $33,122 in their early career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $25,822 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Baylor University

14

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #14 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 359 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $32,082 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,594. Read more about the social sciences program at Northern Arizona University

15

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 472 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $41,791 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,394 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Houston

16

University Of Dallas
Irving, TX

University Of Dallas earned the #16 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 46 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Dallas in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Dallas earn around $47,086 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dallas graduates carry a median of $23,419 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Dallas

17

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #17 for social sciences this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of North Texas awarded about 281 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $35,960 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,417 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of North Texas

18

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #18 spot for social sciences this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 531 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $42,048. Typical student debt for the program is $22,104. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Arizona

19

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #19 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 31 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of North Texas At Dallas

20

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #20 spot for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 970 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $43,672 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,054. More information about a degree in social sciences from Arizona State University Skysong

21

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 136 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $33,433 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

22

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University placed #22 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 72 social sciences degrees were awarded at Trinity University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Trinity University earn a median of $41,610 early in their careers. Trinity University graduates carry a median of $22,344 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Trinity University

23

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Angelo State University graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Angelo State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $56,883. Angelo State University graduates carry a median of $11,066 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Angelo State University

24

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria placed #24 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Victoria. University Of Houston Victoria graduates 26% of students within six years. About 12 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Houston Victoria

25

Saint Edwards University
Austin, TX

Saint Edwards University landed the #25 spot for social sciences this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 40 social sciences degrees were awarded at Saint Edwards University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $34,570 in their early career. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $23,337 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Saint Edwards University