2026 Best Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Sciences certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1707 colleges 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 arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
A rank of #2 makes Front Range Community College one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Westminster, CO. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. The median Social Sciences program debt is $20,354. See the full Front Range Community College profile
Out of the 1707 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Park University landed the #3 spot. Located in Parkville, MO, Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,116. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $22,112. See the full Park University profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,295 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Out of the 1707 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, American University landed the #5 spot. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full American University profile
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. University Of Wisconsin River Falls Social Sciences students take on a median of $24,750 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin River Falls report
Elmhurst College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Elmhurst, IL, Elmhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Elmhurst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Elmhurst College Social Sciences students take on a median of $24,505 in debt. Get the full Elmhurst College report
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public school based in Moorhead, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,027 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Moorhead
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school based in Scottsdale, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. See the full Arizona State University Skysong profile
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #10 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school based in Whitewater, WI. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $23,974. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Whitewater report
Grand Valley State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $25,663. Read the full report on Grand Valley State University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $21,711. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a public school based in Aliso Viejo, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Students borrow a median of $30,005 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
University Of Georgia placed #15 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. University Of Georgia Social Sciences students take on a median of $19,858 in debt. More on University Of Georgia
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $19,860. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. The median Social Sciences program debt is $23,916. More on Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Florida ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $16,172. Read the full report on University Of Florida
University Of Louisville did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Louisville, KY, University Of Louisville is a public institution. University Of Louisville posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $21,864. Read the full report on University Of Louisville
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in Oshkosh, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,905 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
University Of Mary Washington placed #21 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Fredericksburg, VA, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. University Of Mary Washington posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. The median Social Sciences program debt is $23,725. See the full University Of Mary Washington profile
Boise State University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Boise State University is a public school based in Boise, ID. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $25,586. See the full Boise State University profile
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Slippery Rock, PA, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania report
Siena College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Located in Loudonville, NY, Siena College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,805. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $27,000. See the full Siena College profile
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,147 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Minnesota Duluth report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Santa Rosa Junior College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Santa Rosa, CA, Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $14,692. More on Santa Rosa Junior College
Rowan University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Rowan University is a public school based in Glassboro, NJ. Rowan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Rowan University Social Sciences students take on a median of $23,452 in debt. Read the full report on Rowan University
Utah State University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. Utah State University graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Utah State University Social Sciences students take on a median of $18,051 in debt. More on Utah State University
Kennesaw State University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Kennesaw State University Social Sciences students take on a median of $27,942 in debt. Read the full report on Kennesaw State University
Northwest Missouri State University placed #30 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school based in Maryville, MO. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $27,000. More on Northwest Missouri State University
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Eau Claire, WI, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $22,187. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire report
Arizona State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,441 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Graduates carry a median of $25,599 in student loans. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $23,130. More on University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Georgia College And State University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Georgia College And State University is a public school based in Milledgeville, GA. About 64% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Students borrow a median of $21,965 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Georgia College And State University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Social Sciences students take on a median of $26,254 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of North Georgia landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Based in Dahlonega, GA, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $22,703. See the full University Of North Georgia profile
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Set in Shippensburg, PA, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. The median Social Sciences program debt is $26,315. Get the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania report
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Graduates carry a median of $26,048 in student loans. Read more about Wright State University Main Campus
Providence College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Providence, RI. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $63,550 in tuition and fees. The median Social Sciences program debt is $26,532. Read more about Providence College
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Graduates carry a median of $22,529 in student loans. More on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Kansas State University placed #42 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Manhattan, KS. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,473 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Kansas State University
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown did well this year, earning the #43 position. Located in Johnstown, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Graduates carry a median of $25,810 in student loans. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown report
Western Washington University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,301 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Western Washington University
University Of Idaho placed #45 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Moscow, ID. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. The median Social Sciences program debt is $22,679. More on University Of Idaho
Black Hills State University landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Black Hills State University is a public school based in Spearfish, SD. Black Hills State University graduates 43% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Graduates carry a median of $37,329 in student loans. More on Black Hills State University
Western Kentucky University placed #47 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Graduates carry a median of $21,346 in student loans. Get the full Western Kentucky University report
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #48 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school based in Indiana, PA. About 54% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus Social Sciences students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus report
Temple University placed #49 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Temple University Social Sciences students take on a median of $25,402 in debt. Get the full Temple University report
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. The median Social Sciences program debt is $23,500. More on Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Related Social Sciences Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Social Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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 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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