2026 Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Social Sciences master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1707 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Teachers College At Columbia University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Social Sciences master's degree schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Teachers College At Columbia University profile
You'll be in good company at Rice University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Rice University profile
A rank of #3 makes Duke University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Duke University Social Sciences students take on a median of $13,674 in debt. More on Duke University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #4 on this year's Social Sciences ranking in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $12,500. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
The strong Social Sciences programs at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,395 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Johns Hopkins University
Princeton University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit school based in Princeton, NJ. About 98% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Get the full Princeton University report
Stanford University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $12,295. See the full Stanford University profile
Yale University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. The median Social Sciences program debt is $13,967. See the full Yale University profile
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Colorado School Of Mines Social Sciences students take on a median of $24,521 in debt. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
Vanderbilt University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $11,990. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Harvard University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $10,715. See the full Harvard University profile
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $19,617. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Northwestern University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,409 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Northwestern University report
Carnegie Mellon University placed #14 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Social Sciences students take on a median of $22,020 in debt. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Ithaca, NY. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Read the full report on Cornell University
Brown University placed #16 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. The median Social Sciences program debt is $13,409. More on Brown University
Tufts University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Tufts University Social Sciences students take on a median of $17,129 in debt. More on Tufts University
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Social Sciences students take on a median of $13,394 in debt. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Georgetown University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $16,003. See the full Georgetown University profile
Institute Of World Politics placed #20 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Institute Of World Politics is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Get the full Institute Of World Politics report
University Of California Irvine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $16,012. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
University Of California Berkeley landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Social Sciences students take on a median of $13,032 in debt. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Washington University In St Louis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Washington University In St Louis Social Sciences students take on a median of $15,572 in debt. More on Washington University In St Louis
College Of William And Mary landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Williamsburg, VA. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $18,814. More on College Of William And Mary
Rest of the Top 50 Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Social Sciences program debt is $17,734. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Niagara University placed #27 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Niagara University graduates 74% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full Niagara University profile
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Cedar Falls, IA. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. The median Social Sciences program debt is $21,939. Read more about University Of Northern Iowa
Villanova University placed #29 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Get the full Villanova University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #30 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $28,400 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Maryland College Park placed #31 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Social Sciences students take on a median of $20,179 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of California San Diego ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Graduates carry a median of $14,836 in student loans. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
Boston College placed #33 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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 more about Boston College
George Washington University placed #34 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. The median Social Sciences program debt is $24,409. Read the full report on George Washington University
Saint Vincent College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Set in Latrobe, PA, Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $27,000. See the full Saint Vincent College profile
University Of Rochester came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Based in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Rochester posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $20,566 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full University Of Rochester profile
Lasell College landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newton, MA, Lasell College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $27,000. Read more about Lasell College
Emory University placed #39 among Social Sciences schools in the United States. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $20,277. See the full Emory University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Social Sciences students take on a median of $22,737 in debt. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Southern California ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $12,963 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Webster University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete their Social Sciences program here. Read the full report on Webster University
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Provo, UT. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Brigham Young University Provo Social Sciences students take on a median of $11,708 in debt. Get the full Brigham Young University Provo report
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $20,295 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,858 to complete their Social Sciences program here. More on University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $15,181. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Saint Josephs University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Saint Josephs University is a private not-for-profit institution. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,260. The median Social Sciences program debt is $20,192. Get the full Saint Josephs University report
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete their Social Sciences program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee profile
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Charleston, SC, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, compared with $38,508 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $20,817. More on Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
Suny At Binghamton came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical Social Sciences student debt is $21,405. See the full Suny At Binghamton profile
Monmouth University ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Social Sciences schools. Located in West Long Branch, NJ, Monmouth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Monmouth University posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Monmouth University Social Sciences students take on a median of $26,115 in debt. See the full Monmouth University profile
Related Social Sciences Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Social Sciences Graduate Certificate 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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