2026 Best Social Sciences Schools
Looking for the best Social Sciences programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 1707 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 Social Sciences Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Claremont Mckenna College to be the best Social Sciences school in the United States. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Mckenna College is a private not-for-profit institution. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,980. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Claremont Mckenna College profile
The strong Social Sciences programs at Williams College earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamstown, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Williams College Social Sciences students take on a median of $12,034 in debt. More on Williams College
Out of the 1707 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #3 spot. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
Out of the 1707 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read more about Rice University
The strong Social Sciences programs at Dartmouth College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $17,035 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read more about Dartmouth College
Duke University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $13,674. More on Duke University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #7 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public school based in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Vanderbilt University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $11,990. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Bowdoin College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brunswick, ME. About 95% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Bowdoin College Social Sciences students take on a median of $19,555 in debt. More on Bowdoin College
Princeton University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. The median Social Sciences program debt is $11,250. See the full Princeton University profile
Yale University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Yale University Social Sciences students take on a median of $13,967 in debt. See the full Yale University profile
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $12,395 in student loans. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Pomona College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Pomona College is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,420. Read more about Pomona College
University Of Notre Dame landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Social Sciences students take on a median of $19,617 in debt. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
Amherst College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Amherst, MA. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,480. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $16,662. Get the full Amherst College report
Northwestern University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $16,409. See the full Northwestern University profile
Stanford University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $12,295 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Stanford University profile
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $22,020 in student loans. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Harvard University placed #20 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. The median Social Sciences program debt is $10,715. Read more about Harvard University
Cornell University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,395 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Cornell University profile
Bates College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Lewiston, ME, Bates College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,442 in student loans. Read more about Bates College
University Of Pennsylvania placed #23 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Social Sciences students take on a median of $13,394 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Washington And Lee University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $68,045 in tuition and fees. The median Social Sciences program debt is $23,399. More on Washington And Lee University
Wake Forest University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $22,074. More on Wake Forest University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Sciences Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Colgate University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hamilton, NY. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Graduates carry a median of $16,988 in student loans. Read more about Colgate University
Bucknell University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. The median Social Sciences program debt is $25,934. See the full Bucknell University profile
Rose State College placed #28 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Rose State College is a public school based in Midwest City, OK. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $11,967. More on Rose State College
Brown University placed #29 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,409 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Brown University
Lafayette College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Students borrow a median of $17,044 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Lafayette College
Park University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Park University is a private not-for-profit school based in Parkville, MO. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Park University Social Sciences students take on a median of $22,112 in debt. Get the full Park University report
University Of California Berkeley landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $13,032. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Chicago landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,370 in student loans. More on University Of Chicago
Depauw University placed #34 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Greencastle, IN, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Depauw University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. The median Social Sciences program debt is $26,987. See the full Depauw University profile
Barnard College did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Students borrow a median of $17,325 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Barnard College report
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Social Sciences program debt is $17,609. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,003 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Georgetown University
Santa Clara University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. The median Social Sciences program debt is $20,422. Read more about Santa Clara University
Denison University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Granville, OH. About 79% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,000. The median Social Sciences program debt is $24,150. See the full Denison University profile
Augustana College South Dakota did well this year, earning the #40 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Augustana College South Dakota report
Carleton College landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. The median Social Sciences program debt is $19,295. Read the full report on Carleton College
Wellesley College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wellesley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Wellesley College Social Sciences students take on a median of $11,727 in debt. See the full Wellesley College profile
Haverford College placed #43 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. See the full Haverford College profile
Tufts University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $17,129. Read more about Tufts University
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Santa Rosa, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Santa Rosa Junior College profile
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $26,886. More on College Of The Holy Cross
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $15,572 in student loans. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Trinity College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Located in Hartford, CT, Trinity College is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. The median Social Sciences program debt is $22,934. Read the full report on Trinity College
Hamilton College placed #49 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Clinton, NY. Hamilton College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. The median Social Sciences program debt is $16,293. Get the full Hamilton College report
Swarthmore College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit school based in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,494. Swarthmore College Social Sciences students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about Swarthmore College
Best Social Sciences Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 1707 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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