Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California

205 Colleges
$35,887 Avg Salary
$17,995 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Social Sciences School for You

Social Sciences is one of the most popular subjects to study in California. With 51,430 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, it ranked 4th out of all the majors we track in the state.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 205 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Social Sciences program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for social sciences majors pursuing a .

Our 2023 rankings named University of California - Los Angeles the most popular school in California for social sciences students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Social Sciences majors at UCLA take out an average of $14,584 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $208.

Read More…

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of California - Berkeley is a great place for social sciences students. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from UC Berkeley carry an average student debt load of $13,497. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $306, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

The excellent programs at University of California - Santa Barbara helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best social sciences schools in California. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at UCSB accumulate an average of around $15,310 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $290.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara

Out of the 205 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at UC Irvine accumulate an average of around $15,892 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $173, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Social Sciences at University of California - Irvine Report

Out of the 205 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at UC Davis take out is $13,299. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $275.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Davis

#6

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. East Los Angeles College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at East Los Angeles College accumulate an average of around $5,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Social Sciences at East Los Angeles College

University of California - San Diego ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California list. UCSD is a fairly large public school located in the large city of La Jolla.

On average, social sciences graduates from UCSD take out $15,706 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $252, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Social Sciences at University of California - San Diego Report

University of California - Riverside landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. Located in the city of Riverside, UCR is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at UCR take out is $19,992. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $138, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of California - Riverside

#9

Sierra College

Rocklin, CA

With a ranking of #9, Sierra College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. Located in the large suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Sierra College

University of Southern California did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #10 on the list. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Social Sciences majors at USC take out an average of $15,422 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $353, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Southern California

California State University - Northridge ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California list. CSUN is a fairly large public school located in the city of Northridge.

On average, social sciences graduates from CSUN take out $15,167 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Sciences at California State University - Northridge Report

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at UC Santa Cruz accumulate an average of around $18,275 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $239.

Full Social Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz Report

#13

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, CA

Mt. San Antonio College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Full Social Sciences at Mt. San Antonio College Report

#13

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. SDSU is a very large public school located in the large city of San Diego.

Social Sciences majors at SDSU take out an average of $16,146 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $274.

Read full report on Social Sciences at San Diego State University

#15

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, CA

College of the Canyons did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, social sciences graduates from College of the Canyons take out $8,621 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Sciences at College of the Canyons Report

California State University - Sacramento came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California ranking. Sac State is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Sacramento.

On average, social sciences graduates from Sac State take out $17,885 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $172.

Read full report on Social Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

With a ranking of #17, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, social sciences graduates from CSULB take out $14,308 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Sciences at California State University - Long Beach Report

California State University - San Marcos landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. CSUSM is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at CSUSM accumulate an average of around $18,262 in student debt.

Read full report on Social Sciences at California State University - San Marcos

California State University - Fullerton ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, social sciences graduates from Cal State Fullerton take out $14,963 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read More…

#20

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA

With a ranking of #20, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. SRJC is a large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa.

Read More…

California State University - Fresno did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #21 on the list. Fresno State is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at Fresno State take out is $13,874.

Full Social Sciences at California State University - Fresno Report

#22

American River College

Sacramento, CA

American River College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Read More…

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #23 on the list. Cal State LA is a very large public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

On average, social sciences graduates from Cal State LA take out $14,290 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Sciences at California State University - Los Angeles Report

#24

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #24 on the list. Pasadena City College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.

Full Social Sciences at Pasadena City College Report

#25

Palomar College

San Marcos, CA

Palomar College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Read More…

#28

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#29

Antelope Valley College

Lancaster, CA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Social Sciences students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
31 De Anza College Cupertino, CA
32 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA
33 Butte College Oroville, CA
34 City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
35 Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA
36 Ohlone College Fremont, CA
36 Folsom Lake College Folsom, CA
38 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
39 California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CA
40 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
41 Citrus College Glendora, CA

Best Social Sciences Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 3,812
Oregon 2,748
Hawaii 586
Nevada 925
Alaska 90

Social Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
Sociology 38,475
General Social Sciences 18,997
International Relations & National Security 14,306
Anthropology 11,415
Criminology 11,039
Geography & Cartography 8,526
Other Social Sciences 2,414
Urban Studies 1,507
Sociology & Anthropology 541
Archeology 339
Demography & Population Studies 88

Related Major Annual Graduates
Education 327,871
Psychology 195,678
Communication & Journalism 120,571
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to AndrГ© KГјnzelmann.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.