Best Colleges for Social Sciences
This ranking features leading colleges for social science majors in political science, sociology, anthropology, and international relations. Compare schools based on research opportunities, study-abroad programs, faculty expertise, and policy internships to find an institution that deepens your understanding of society and prepares you for careers in government, nonprofits, and global affairs.
280 schools ranked in this list.
| Rank | School |
|---|---|
| #1 | Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH, 03755 |
| #2 | University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA, 19104 |
| #3 | Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN, 37240 |
| #4 | Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT, 06520 |
| #5 | Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ, 08544 |
| #6 | University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, 90095 |
| #7 | Brown UniversityProvidence, RI, 02912 |
| #8 | Providence CollegeProvidence, RI, 02918 |
| #9 | Stanford UniversityStanford, CA, 94305 |
| #10 | University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA, 94720 |
| #11 | Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA, 02138 |
| #12 | Union CollegeSchenectady, NY, 12308 |
| #13 | Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL, 32789 |
| #14 | University of North Carolina--Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC, 27599 |
| #15 | St. Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN, 55057 |
| #16 | Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL, 60045 |
| #17 | New York UniversityNew York, NY, 10012 |
| #18 | SUNY--GeneseoGeneseo, NY, 14454 |
| #19 | William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA, 23185 |
| #20 | John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH, 44118 |
| #21 | St. Mary's College of MarylandMarys City, MD, 20686 |
| #22 | Virginia Military InstituteLexington, VA, 24450 |
| #23 | Bryant UniversitySmithfield, RI, 02917 |
| #24 | University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA, 93106 |
| #25 | Tufts UniversityMedford, MA, 02155 |
| #26 | Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News, VA, 23606 |
| #27 | Kenyon CollegeGambier, OH, 43022 |
| #28 | University of California, IrvineIrvine, CA, 92697 |
| #29 | University of FloridaGainesville, FL, 32611 |
| #30 | Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaMoraga, CA, 94575 |
| #31 | Lycoming CollegeWilliamsport, PA, 17701 |
| #32 | California Polytechnic State University--San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA, 93407 |
| #33 | The Citadel, the Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC, 29409 |
| #34 | Wake Forest UniversitySalem, NC, 27109 |
| #35 | Niagara UniversityNiagara University, NY, 14109 |
| #36 | Loyola University MarylandBaltimore, MD, 21210 |
| #37 | Howard UniversityWashington, DC, 20059 |
| #38 | Butler UniversityIndianapolis, IN, 46208 |
| #39 | University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN, 46556 |
| #40 | University of WashingtonSeattle, WA, 98195 |
| #41 | Boston UniversityBoston, MA, 02215 |
| #42 | Morehouse CollegeAtlanta, GA, 30314 |
| #43 | University of Maryland, College ParkCollege Park, MD, 20742 |
| #44 | Le Moyne CollegeSYRACUSE, NY, 13214 |
| #45 | Furman UniversityGreenville, SC, 29613 |
| #46 | The University of Texas--AustinAustin, TX, 78705 |
| #47 | Siena UniversityLoudonville, NY, 12211 |
| #48 | CUNY--Baruch CollegeNew York, NY, 10010 |
| #49 | Mount St. Mary's UniversityEmmitsburg, MD, 21727 |
| #50 | Fairleigh Dickinson University--Florham Campus |
| #51 | University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg, VA, 22401 |
| #52 | University of RochesterRochester, NY, 14627 |
| #53 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL, 61820 |
| #54 | Hiram CollegeHiram, OH, 44234 |
| #55 | Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL, 32723 |
| #56 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--PrescottPrescott, AZ, 86301 |
| #57 | Dominican UniversityRiver Forest, IL, 60305 |
| #58 | Centre CollegeDanville, KY, 40422 |
| #59 | Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL, 60126 |
| #60 | St. Mary's University of San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, 78228 |
| #61 | Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ, 07430 |
| #62 | Illinois CollegeJacksonville, IL, 62650 |
| #63 | University of DallasIrving, TX, 75062 |
| #64 | Purchase College--SUNYPurchase, NY, 10577 |
| #65 | Cottey CollegeNevada, MO, 64772 |
| #66 | The Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH, 43210 |
| #67 | Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA, 02115 |
| #68 | Colby CollegeWaterville, ME, 04901 |
| #69 | Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PA, 19081 |
| #70 | Washington and Lee UniversityLexington, VA, 24450 |
| #71 | Bates CollegeLewiston, ME, 04240 |
| #72 | Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA, 02481 |
| #73 | Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY, 13323 |
| #74 | United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD, 21403 |
| #75 | College of the Holy CrossWorcester, MA, 01060 |
| #76 | Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, CA, 91711 |
| #77 | United States Military Academy at West PointWest Point, NY, 10996 |
| #78 | Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GA, 30314 |
| #79 | Davidson CollegeDavidson, NC, 28035 |
| #80 | Lafayette CollegeEaston, PA, 18042 |
| #81 | Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT, 06459 |
| #82 | Trinity CollegeHartford, CT, 06106 |
| #83 | Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME, 04011 |
| #84 | Carleton CollegeNorthfield, MN, 55057 |
| #85 | Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA, 50112 |
| #86 | Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA, 17837 |
| #87 | Barnard CollegeNew York, NY, 10027 |
| #88 | Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO, 80903 |
| #89 | Colgate UniversityHamilton, NY, 13346 |
| #90 | Haverford CollegeHaverford, PA, 19041 |
| #91 | Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA, 01063 |
| #92 | Bryn Mawr CollegeBryn Mawr, PA, 19010 |
| #93 | Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY, 12866 |
| #94 | Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL, 32306 |
| #95 | Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA, 02454 |
| #96 | University of GeorgiaAthens, GA, 30602 |
| #97 | College of the OzarksPoint Lookout, MO, 65726 |
| #98 | Towson UniversityTowson, MD, 21252 |
| #99 | Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley, MA, 01075 |
| #100 | Flagler CollegeAugustine, FL, 32084 |
| #101 | Wheaton College (IL)Wheaton, IL, 60187 |
| #102 | CUNY--John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY, 10019 |
| #103 | Berea CollegeBerea, KY, 40404 |
| #104 | Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsNorth Adams, MA, 01247 |
| #105 | University of RedlandsRedlands, CA, 92373 |
| #106 | Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PA, 17013 |
| #107 | Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, TX, 78212 |
| #108 | Spring Hill CollegeMobile, AL, 36608 |
| #109 | Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg, PA, 17325 |
| #110 | San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA, 95192 |
| #111 | University of TampaTampa, FL, 33606 |
| #112 | Baptist University of FloridaGraceville, FL, 32440 |
| #113 | Oberlin CollegeOberlin, OH, 44074 |
| #114 | Bennington CollegeBennington, VT, 05201 |
| #115 | SUNY--New PaltzNew Paltz, NY, 12561 |
| #116 | University of Hawaii--West OahuKapolei, HI, 96707 |
| #117 | Muskingum UniversityNew Concord, OH, 43762 |
| #118 | Franklin & Marshall CollegeLancaster, PA, 17604 |
| #119 | Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA, 91711 |
| #120 | Beloit CollegeBeloit, WI, 53511 |
| #121 | California State University--San MarcosSan Marcos, CA, 92096 |
| #122 | George Washington UniversityWashington, DC, 20052 |
| #123 | University of Michigan--DearbornDearborn, MI, 48128 |
| #124 | Hampton UniversityHampton, VA, 23668 |
| #125 | University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT, 06269 |
| #126 | Macalester CollegePaul, MN, 55105 |
| #127 | University of Mount Saint VincentRiverdale, NY, 10471 |
| #128 | Principia CollegeElsah, IL, 62028 |
| #129 | Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL, 62522 |
| #130 | Mount Saint Mary's UniversityLos Angeles, CA, 90049 |
| #131 | Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA, 95053 |
| #132 | CUNY--Hunter CollegeNew York, NY, 10021 |
| #133 | Manhattan UniversityRiverdale, NY, 10471 |
| #134 | California State University--ChicoChico, CA, 95929 |
| #135 | Lawrence UniversityAppleton, WI, 54911 |
| #136 | CUNY--Queens CollegeQueens, NY, 11367 |
| #137 | Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CA, 90041 |
| #138 | Goucher CollegeBaltimore, MD, 21204 |
| #139 | University of Wisconsin--WhitewaterWhitewater, WI, 53190 |
| #140 | North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC, 27695 |
| #141 | Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown, PA, 18104 |
| #142 | Clark UniversityWorcester, MA, 01610 |
| #143 | Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA, 98225 |
| #144 | Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI, 48824 |
| #145 | California State University--StanislausTurlock, CA, 95382 |
| #146 | University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, 15260 |
| #147 | Brigham Young UniversityProvo, UT, 84602 |
| #148 | University of California, RiversideRiverside, CA, 92521 |
| #149 | Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo, MI, 49006 |
| #150 | Clemson UniversityClemson, SC, 29634 |
| #151 | Hobart and William Smith CollegesGeneva, NY, 14456 |
| #152 | Connecticut CollegeNew London, CT, 06320 |
| #153 | University of California, MercedMerced, CA, 95343 |
| #154 | St. Lawrence UniversityCanton, NY, 13617 |
| #155 | California State University--NorthridgeNorthridge, CA, 91330 |
| #156 | Drury UniversitySpringfield, MO, 65802 |
| #157 | University at Buffalo--SUNYBuffalo, NY, 14260 |
| #158 | Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA, 19085 |
| #159 | Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT, 06226 |
| #160 | University of DelawareNewark, DE, 19716 |
| #161 | Bluffton UniversityBluffton, OH, 45817 |
| #162 | DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN, 46135 |
| #163 | William Peace UniversityRaleigh, NC, 27604 |
| #164 | California State University--Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA, 90032 |
| #165 | Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD, 21532 |
| #166 | Simmons UniversityBoston, MA, 02115 |
| #167 | The University of the SouthSewanee, TN, 37383 |
| #168 | Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT, 06050 |
| #169 | Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA, 91711 |
| #170 | Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware, OH, 43015 |
| #171 | Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown, PA, 18104 |
| #172 | University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA, 92110 |
| #173 | Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA, 98926 |
| #174 | Cal Poly HumboldtArcata, CA, 95521 |
| #175 | California State University--BakersfieldBakersfield, CA, 93311 |
| #176 | Rogers State UniversityClaremore, OK, 74017 |
| #177 | University of South FloridaTampa, FL, 33620 |
| #178 | The College of WoosterWooster, OH, 44691 |
| #179 | University of North Carolina--PembrokePembroke, NC, 28372 |
| #180 | Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH, 44106 |
| #181 | Dominican University New YorkOrangeburg, NY, 10962 |
| #182 | University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD, 57105 |
| #183 | College of St. BenedictJoseph, MN, 56321 |
| #184 | Gallaudet UniversityWashington, DC, 20002 |
| #185 | University of St. Thomas (TX)Houston, TX, 77006 |
| #186 | Benedictine UniversityLisle, IL, 60532 |
| #187 | Carthage CollegeKenosha, WI, 53140 |
| #188 | University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO, 80309 |
| #189 | University of MissouriColumbia, MO, 65211 |
| #190 | Texas A&M University--San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, 78224 |
| #191 | American UniversityWashington, DC, 20016 |
| #192 | Saint Johns UniversityCollegeville, MN, 56321 |
| #193 | Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI, 53233 |
| #194 | Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NY, 10522 |
| #195 | University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL, 33146 |
| #196 | SUNY PotsdamPotsdam, NY, 13676 |
| #197 | Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY, 13244 |
| #198 | Covenant CollegeLookout Mountain, GA, 30750 |
| #199 | Wagner CollegeStaten Island, NY, 10301 |
| #200 | Mount St. Mary CollegeNewburgh, NY, 12550 |
| #201 | Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA, 70118 |
| #202 | University at Albany--SUNYAlbany, NY, 12222 |
| #203 | Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX, 76129 |
| #204 | University of Tennessee--KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN, 37996 |
| #205 | University of IowaIowa City, IA, 52242 |
| #206 | University of OregonEugene, OR, 97403 |
| #207 | Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland, VA, 23005 |
| #208 | Fordham UniversityNew York, NY, 10023 |
| #209 | The University of OklahomaNorman, OK, 73019 |
| #210 | Wheaton College (MA)Norton, MA, 02766 |
| #211 | DePaul UniversityChicago, IL, 60604 |
| #212 | Oglethorpe UniversityAtlanta, GA, 30319 |
| #213 | Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR, 97219 |
| #214 | Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA, 15419 |
| #215 | Linfield UniversityMcMinnville, OR, 97128 |
| #216 | Saint Anselm CollegeManchester, NH, 03102 |
| #217 | The Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC, 20064 |
| #218 | University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC, 29208 |
| #219 | Colorado State University PuebloPueblo, CO, 81001 |
| #220 | University of Maryland Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD, 21250 |
| #221 | University of VermontBurlington, VT, 05405 |
| #222 | Westminster College (PA)New Wilmington, PA, 16172 |
| #223 | Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA, 90263 |
| #224 | Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA, 50311 |
| #225 | Patrick Henry CollegePurcellville, VA, 20132 |
| #226 | Luther CollegeDecorah, IA, 52101 |
| #227 | California State University--San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA, 92407 |
| #228 | Ohio Dominican UniversityColumbus, OH, 43219 |
| #229 | University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA, 98416 |
| #230 | Miami University--OxfordOxford, OH, 45056 |
| #231 | University of IdahoMoscow, ID, 83844 |
| #232 | George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA, 22030 |
| #233 | Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX, 75205 |
| #234 | James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA, 22807 |
| #235 | Albion CollegeAlbion, MI, 49224 |
| #236 | Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT, 06824 |
| #237 | Hampden-Sydney CollegeSydney, VA, 23943 |
| #238 | Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton, VA, 24401 |
| #239 | University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA, 94117 |
| #240 | CUNY--City CollegeNew York, NY, 10031 |
| #241 | University of St. Thomas (MN)St Paul, MN, 55105 |
| #242 | Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA, 90045 |
| #243 | Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE, 68178 |
| #244 | Coe CollegeCedar Rapids, IA, 52402 |
| #245 | York College--CUNYJamaica, NY, 11451 |
| #246 | Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA, 99258 |
| #247 | University of DenverDenver, CO, 80208 |
| #248 | Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA, 50677 |
| #249 | Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY, 11549 |
| #250 | St. Norbert CollegeDe Pere, WI, 54115 |
| #251 | Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA, 02115 |
| #252 | The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL, 35487 |
| #253 | Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, NJ, 07079 |
| #254 | University of LynchburgLynchburg, VA, 24501 |
| #255 | Central CollegePella, IA, 50219 |
| #256 | Ripon CollegeRipon, WI, 54971 |
| #257 | Waynesburg UniversityWaynesburg, PA, 15370 |
| #258 | Eckerd CollegePetersburg, FL, 33711 |
| #259 | Antioch CollegeYellow Springs, OH, 45387 |
| #260 | Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, LA, 70118 |
| #261 | Louisiana State University--Baton RougeBaton Rouge, LA, 70803 |
| #262 | Hartwick CollegeOneonta, NY, 13820 |
| #263 | Presbyterian CollegeClinton, SC, 29325 |
| #264 | Washington State UniversityPullman, WA, 99164 |
| #265 | Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA, 15705 |
| #266 | University of Massachusetts DartmouthNorth Dartmouth, MA, 02747 |
| #267 | Marymount Manhattan CollegeNew York, NY, 10021 |
| #268 | University of MaineOrono, ME, 04469 |
| #269 | Portland State UniversityPortland, OR, 97207 |
| #270 | University of Missouri--St. LouisSaint Louis, MO, 63121 |
| #271 | University of MontanaMissoula, MT, 59812 |
| #272 | Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN, 47809 |
| #273 | University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA, 30118 |
| #274 | University of Colorado DenverDenver, CO, 80217 |
| #275 | Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH, 44115 |
| #276 | Saint Augustine's UniversityRaleigh, NC, 27610 |
| #277 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH, 03106 |
| #278 | Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, VA, 23455 |
| #279 | University of Hawaii at HiloHilo, HI, 96720 |
| #280 | University of Alaska--SoutheastJuneau, AK, 99801 |