2026 Best Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Sciences associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1707 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
You'll be in good company at Rose State College, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Midwest City, OK, Rose State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $11,967. More on Rose State College
The strong Social Sciences programs at Santa Rosa Junior College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public school based in Santa Rosa, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. More on Santa Rosa Junior College
Upper Iowa University came in at #4 on this year's Social Sciences ranking in the United States. 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 run about $19,475. Upper Iowa University Social Sciences students take on a median of $26,843 in debt. Get the full Upper Iowa University report
A rank of #5 makes Front Range Community College one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Westminster, CO, Front Range Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Graduates carry a median of $20,354 in student loans. Read more about Front Range Community College
South Dakota State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. South Dakota State University Social Sciences students take on a median of $25,704 in debt. More on South Dakota State University
University Of Southern Indiana did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Evansville, IN, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. University Of Southern Indiana graduates 48% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $21,999. More on University Of Southern Indiana
Central New Mexico Community College placed #8 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read more about Central New Mexico Community College
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Social Sciences students take on a median of $23,500 in debt. Read more about Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Wright State University Lake Campus did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Celina, OH, Wright State University Lake Campus is a public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,372, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. Graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Read more about Wright State University Lake Campus
Assumption College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Assumption College is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,356. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Assumption College
Northern Virginia Community College placed #12 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Northern Virginia Community College
College Of Western Idaho ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Nampa, ID, College Of Western Idaho is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. The median Social Sciences program debt is $12,497. Read more about College Of Western Idaho
Tidewater Community College placed #14 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Tidewater Community College is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full Tidewater Community College profile
Suny Empire State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, Suny Empire State College is a public institution. Suny Empire State College posts a six-year graduation rate of 36%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. The median Social Sciences program debt is $23,693. Read more about Suny Empire State College
Essex County College placed #16 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Newark, NJ, Essex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. The median Social Sciences program debt is $5,851. More on Essex County College
East Los Angeles College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Monterey Park, CA, East Los Angeles College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $5,500. Read more about East Los Angeles College
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Hampton, VA. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Thomas Nelson Community College
Butte College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Oroville, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. The median Social Sciences program debt is $9,036. Get the full Butte College report
Brookdale Community College placed #20 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Lincroft, NJ, Brookdale Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read more about Brookdale Community College
Barstow Community College placed #21 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Barstow, CA, Barstow Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,104, compared with $9,744 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $5,588. See the full Barstow Community College profile
Tulsa Community College placed #22 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tulsa, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Get the full Tulsa Community College report
American River College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Sacramento, CA, American River College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Get the full American River College report
Boise State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in Boise, ID. About 59% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $25,586. More on Boise State University
Rogers State University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Claremore, OK, Rogers State University is a public institution. Rogers State University graduates 31% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Graduates carry a median of $23,573 in student loans. Get the full Rogers State University report
Mt San Jacinto Community College District placed #26 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in San Jacinto, CA, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Mt San Jacinto Community College District profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Antelope Valley College placed #27 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Lancaster, CA, Antelope Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Antelope Valley College Social Sciences students take on a median of $11,387 in debt. Get the full Antelope Valley College report
Arizona Western College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. See the full Arizona Western College profile
Lane College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Jackson, TN, Lane College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lane College posts a six-year graduation rate of 18%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,790. Students borrow a median of $40,472 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Lane College
Universidad Del Turabo ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Gurabo, PR, Universidad Del Turabo is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 31% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full Universidad Del Turabo profile
Buena Vista University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. See the full Buena Vista University profile
El Camino College Compton Center placed #31 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. See the full El Camino College Compton Center profile
International Institute For Restorative Practices landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. More on International Institute For Restorative Practices
Luther College
Luther College did well this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Luther College profile
San Jose City College placed #34 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. See the full San Jose City College profile
Southwest Baptist University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Read more about Southwest Baptist University
University Of California Irvine placed #36 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. More on University Of California Irvine
University Of Maryland University College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Get the full University Of Maryland University College report
Willamette University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. More on Willamette University
Columbia College Sonora came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Columbia College Sonora
Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Read more about Georgia Military College Milledgeville
Illinois State University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Illinois State University
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #42 in this year's ranking. More on Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Union University
Union University placed #43 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Union University
Western Carolina University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Get the full Western Carolina University report
California State University Chico ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. See the full California State University Chico profile
Eastern Mennonite University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Get the full Eastern Mennonite University report
Montclair State University did well this year, earning the #47 position. More on Montclair State University
Santa Ana College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. More on Santa Ana College
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
The College Of Idaho placed #50 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. More on The College Of Idaho
Related Social Sciences Rankings
Compare rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Social Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Undergraduate Certificate 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
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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