2026 Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Sciences bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1707 colleges 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 arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is Claremont Mckenna College, our #1 Social Sciences school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Claremont Mckenna College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,980. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Claremont Mckenna College
Williams College came in at #2 on this year's Social Sciences ranking in the United States. Located in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $12,034. Read the full report on Williams College
Out of the 1707 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #3 spot. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Rice University Social Sciences students take on a median of $11,289 in debt. Read more about Rice University
Out of the 1707 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Dartmouth College landed the #4 spot. Set in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $17,035 in student loans. Get the full Dartmouth College report
Duke University came in at #5 on this year's Social Sciences ranking in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. The median Social Sciences program debt is $13,674. Read more about Duke University
Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $11,990 in student loans. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Bowdoin College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,555 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Bowdoin College profile
Princeton University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. More on Princeton University
University Of Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,370 in student loans. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Yale University placed #10 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,967 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Yale University
University Of Notre Dame ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,617 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Pomona College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Claremont, CA, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Pomona College graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,420. Read more about Pomona College
Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University Social Sciences students take on a median of $16,409 in debt. More on Northwestern University
Amherst College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. The median Social Sciences program debt is $16,662. Read the full report on Amherst College
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. The median Social Sciences program debt is $22,020. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $12,295 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Stanford University report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, with out-of-state students paying around $15,185. The median Social Sciences program debt is $12,500. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Cornell University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $14,395. More on Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,395 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #20 position. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. The median Social Sciences program debt is $13,394. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Bates College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Bates College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewiston, ME. Bates College posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,590. Students borrow a median of $12,442 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Bates College
Washington And Lee University placed #22 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lexington, VA. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. More on Washington And Lee University
Wake Forest University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Students borrow a median of $22,074 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Wake Forest University profile
Colgate University placed #24 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,306. The median Social Sciences program debt is $16,988. See the full Colgate University profile
Bucknell University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. Students borrow a median of $25,934 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Bucknell University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Harvard University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Harvard University Social Sciences students take on a median of $10,715 in debt. Get the full Harvard University report
Brown University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. The median Social Sciences program debt is $13,409. More on Brown University
Park University placed #28 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Parkville, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Park University profile
Lafayette College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Graduates carry a median of $17,044 in student loans. See the full Lafayette College profile
University Of California Berkeley ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $13,032 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Depauw University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Depauw University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greencastle, IN. Depauw University graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $26,987. More on Depauw University
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Barnard College placed #33 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,888. Graduates carry a median of $17,325 in student loans. Get the full Barnard College report
Georgetown University placed #34 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Georgetown University Social Sciences students take on a median of $16,003 in debt. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Santa Clara University placed #35 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,422 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Santa Clara University
Denison University placed #36 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Denison University is a private not-for-profit school based in Granville, OH. About 79% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. Read the full report on Denison University
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sioux Falls, SD. About 73% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Augustana College South Dakota report
Carleton College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. The median Social Sciences program debt is $19,295. See the full Carleton College profile
Wellesley College landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Set in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Wellesley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,727 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read more about Wellesley College
Haverford College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. See the full Haverford College profile
Washington University In St Louis landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $15,572 in student loans. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Set in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $26,886. Read more about College Of The Holy Cross
Trinity College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Trinity College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hartford, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,770. Graduates carry a median of $22,934 in student loans. More on Trinity College
Hamilton College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Clinton, NY, Hamilton College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Read the full report on Hamilton College
Swarthmore College did well this year, earning the #45 position. Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit school based in Swarthmore, PA. Swarthmore College graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Swarthmore College profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #46 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $17,734 in student loans. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Lycoming College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamsport, PA. Lycoming College posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,804. The median Social Sciences program debt is $27,000. Read more about Lycoming College
College Of William And Mary ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. College Of William And Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. College Of William And Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. College Of William And Mary Social Sciences students take on a median of $18,814 in debt. See the full College Of William And Mary profile
Tufts University placed #49 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $17,129. See the full Tufts University profile
Boston College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Boston College Social Sciences students take on a median of $18,208 in debt. Read the full report on Boston College
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 Associate’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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