2026 Best General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Social Sciences bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 540 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 General Social Sciences school in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on Vanderbilt University
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top choices in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
The strong General Social Sciences programs at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $20,559. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
The strong General Social Sciences programs at Northwestern University earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full Northwestern University report
You'll be in good company at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Harvard University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read more about Harvard University
Thomas Edison State College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Trenton, NJ, Thomas Edison State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,838, with out-of-state students paying around $8,856. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $21,384. Read more about Thomas Edison State College
Colgate University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on Colgate University
New York University placed #9 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. 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. More on New York University
Denison University placed #10 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read more about Denison University
Florida Southern College placed #11 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Florida Southern College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lakeland, FL. Florida Southern College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $44,040 in tuition and fees. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $25,357. See the full Florida Southern College profile
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $24,245. See the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor General Social Sciences students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Colorado State University Global Campus came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Denver, CO, Colorado State University Global Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,000. Students borrow a median of $37,770 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Colorado State University Global Campus
College Of Saint Benedict placed #15 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,756. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. See the full College Of Saint Benedict profile
Bellevue University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Based in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Graduates carry a median of $34,734 in student loans. See the full Bellevue University profile
Boston College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $18,101. More on Boston College
Upper Iowa University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Set in Fayette, IA, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Graduates carry a median of $25,805 in student loans. See the full Upper Iowa University profile
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $24,750. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Stout
University Of Maryland University College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $23,599. Get the full University Of Maryland University College report
Saint Johns University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Located in Collegeville, MN, Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Johns University graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,816. Saint Johns University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $26,646 in debt. Get the full Saint Johns University report
Hobart William Smith Colleges placed #22 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Geneva, NY. Hobart William Smith Colleges graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,928. Graduates carry a median of $26,700 in student loans. More on Hobart William Smith Colleges
Mercer University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Mercer University is a private not-for-profit school based in Macon, GA. Mercer University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $47,010. Read the full report on Mercer University
Washington State University placed #24 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $25,409. See the full Washington State University profile
Central Washington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Based in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $26,181. Get the full Central Washington University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of North Dakota ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. University Of North Dakota General Social Sciences students take on a median of $27,431 in debt. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #27 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tampa, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. University Of South Florida Main Campus General Social Sciences students take on a median of $24,095 in debt. See the full University Of South Florida Main Campus profile
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Read more about Michigan State University
Florida State University placed #29 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Read the full report on Florida State University
Union College New York ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Schenectady, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,039. Students borrow a median of $25,869 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Get the full Union College New York report
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Located in Whitewater, WI, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $25,306. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Grand Valley State University placed #32 among General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Graduates carry a median of $27,400 in student loans. More on Grand Valley State University
Kansas State University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. See the full Kansas State University profile
University Of Utah landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. University Of Utah General Social Sciences students take on a median of $22,442 in debt. Read more about University Of Utah
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a public school based in Cape Girardeau, MO. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,903. Students borrow a median of $34,390 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Read more about Southeast Missouri State University
University Of Missouri St Louis did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Saint Louis, MO. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. See the full University Of Missouri St Louis profile
National University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Set in San Diego, CA, National University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. See the full National University profile
Catholic University Of America came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. More on Catholic University Of America
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #40 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Ramapo College Of New Jersey ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Located in Mahwah, NJ, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a public institution. Ramapo College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. See the full Ramapo College Of New Jersey profile
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Graduates carry a median of $16,338 in student loans. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
San Jose State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Read the full report on San Jose State University
Ashford University did well this year, earning the #44 position. This private for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $41,281. Read more about Ashford University
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus General Social Sciences students take on a median of $22,053 in debt. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Southern Wesleyan University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Based in Central, SC, Southern Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,800. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $31,554. Get the full Southern Wesleyan University report
University Of Central Florida did well this year, earning the #47 position. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
North Central College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best General Social Sciences schools. Based in Naperville, IL, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,726. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $25,699. See the full North Central College profile
University Of Oregon did well this year, earning the #49 position. University Of Oregon is a public school based in Eugene, OR. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $22,917. See the full University Of Oregon profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #50 position. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System did well this year, earning the #51 position. This public school is set in Aliso Viejo, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Related General Social Sciences Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best General Social Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Social Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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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