2026 Best General Social Sciences Schools
Looking for the best General Social Sciences programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 540 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Social Sciences Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Out of the 540 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #2 spot. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $13,426. More on Johns Hopkins University
Out of the 540 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #3 spot. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Cuny Graduate School And University Center General Social Sciences students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Out of the 540 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $20,559 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
A rank of #5 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Northwestern University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Northwestern University
University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Harvard University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $19,937. Read the full report on Harvard University
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #8 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Set in Santa Rosa, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on Santa Rosa Junior College
Thomas Edison State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Based in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,838, compared with $8,856 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,384 in student loans. Get the full Thomas Edison State College report
Colgate University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Colgate University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $16,286 in debt. Read the full report on Colgate University
Washington University In St Louis came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Washington University In St Louis General Social Sciences students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
New York University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. See the full New York University profile
Denison University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. See the full Denison University profile
Emory University did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Read more about Emory University
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #16 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Florida Southern College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Lakeland, FL, Florida Southern College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $25,357. See the full Florida Southern College profile
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #18 position. Set in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Get the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in Denver, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $37,770. Read more about Colorado State University Global Campus
College Of Saint Benedict came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on College Of Saint Benedict
Case Western Reserve University placed #22 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, OH. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Boston College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. More on Boston College
Upper Iowa University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Fayette, IA, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Upper Iowa University graduates 33% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Students borrow a median of $25,805 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Upper Iowa University
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stout
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Social Sciences Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Maryland University College placed #26 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. University Of Maryland University College posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland University College General Social Sciences students take on a median of $23,599 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland University College
Saint Johns University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Located in Collegeville, MN, Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Johns University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,816. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $26,646. Read more about Saint Johns University
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Charleston, SC. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina General Social Sciences students take on a median of $24,305 in debt. Read the full report on Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
Hobart William Smith Colleges landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Located in Geneva, NY, Hobart William Smith Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Students from in state pay about $64,928 in tuition and fees. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $26,700. More on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Washington State University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $25,409. Read the full report on Washington State University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $19,844. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Central Washington University did well this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in Ellensburg, WA. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Central Washington University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $26,181 in debt. Get the full Central Washington University report
Rose State College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Rose State College is a public school based in Midwest City, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,451 in student loans. More on Rose State College
University Of North Dakota ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. University Of North Dakota General Social Sciences students take on a median of $27,431 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
University Of Iowa landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $24,463. See the full University Of Iowa profile
University Of South Florida Main Campus did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $24,095. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
Michigan State University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $29,198 in debt. More on Michigan State University
University Of Chicago came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $15,854. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Florida State University placed #39 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $23,375. More on Florida State University
Union College New York placed #40 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Union College New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,039. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $25,869. Read the full report on Union College New York
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater did well this year, earning the #41 position. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school based in Whitewater, WI. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $25,306. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Grand Valley State University placed #42 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $27,400. Read more about Grand Valley State University
Kansas State University placed #43 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $27,500. Read the full report on Kansas State University
Mercer University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in Macon, GA, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $47,010. Read more about Mercer University
University Of Utah did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $22,442. See the full University Of Utah profile
Southeast Missouri State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Cape Girardeau, MO, Southeast Missouri State University is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $34,390 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on Southeast Missouri State University
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #48 in this year's ranking. University Of Missouri St Louis is a public school based in Saint Louis, MO. University Of Missouri St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $25,943. More on University Of Missouri St Louis
National University did well this year, earning the #49 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $30,426. More on National University
Catholic University Of America landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. More on Catholic University Of America
Bellevue University did well this year, earning the #51 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bellevue, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Bellevue University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $34,734 in debt. Read more about Bellevue University
Best General Social Sciences Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best General Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 540 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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