Rankings / Value
Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences
- 50
- Schools
- $86,630
- Avg. Earnings
- 90%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,063
- Avg. Net Price
- $15,045
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $56,195 at the low end to $124,080 at the top. That 2.2× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $75,971 against $3,033 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
The most budget-friendly option on this list is CUNY Hunter College, at $2,984 annually in net price.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 90% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Princeton University: graduates owe only 0.09× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Princeton University ($110,066 earnings), not the highest earner, Stanford University ($124,080). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and Boston College ($41,704/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $103,937 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $38,720 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College outperforms Stanford University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Harvard University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $85K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-08-03
Source datasets
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Princeton University #1 overall | $110,066 ▲ +27% vs avg | $6,128 | 97% | 92 |
| 2 Stanford University #2 overall | $124,080 ▲ +43% vs avg | $13,807 | 92% | 90 |
| 3 University of Chicago #3 overall | $91,885 ▲ +6% vs avg | $14,860 | 95% | 89 |
| $101,817 ▲ +18% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 88 | |
| $91,565 ▲ +6% vs avg | $15,846 | 93% | 87 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $86,630 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 90% and an average net price of $22,063.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Stanford University — Median alumni earnings: $124,080
Data Insight
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$84,971
Median earnings (10yr)
93%
Median graduation rate
$23,258
Median net price
2.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 93%. Median graduate earnings reach $84,971 ten years after enrollment, roughly $36,971 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $23,258 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $15,000. Some 20% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.3%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $23,258 and graduates earn a median of $84,971. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Princeton University lands at #1 with a 92/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $110,066 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,128 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Stanford University lands at #2 with a 90/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $124,080 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,807 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Chicago lands at #3 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $91,885 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,860 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Harvard University lands at #4 with a 88/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Vanderbilt University lands at #5 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (80/100). Graduates earn a median $91,565 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,846 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Brown University lands at #6 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (78/100). Graduates earn a median $93,487 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,184 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Williams College lands at #7 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $88,665 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,716 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Bowdoin College lands at #8 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (79/100). Graduates earn a median $82,735 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,398 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Johns Hopkins University lands at #9 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Wellesley College lands at #10 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #11
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #11 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $102,491 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Yale University lands at #12 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Claremont McKenna College lands at #13 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $104,736 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,849 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of Pennsylvania lands at #14 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Pomona College lands at #15 with a 84/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,779 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,285 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Dartmouth College lands at #16 with a 84/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Colby College lands at #17 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $80,490 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,180 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Duke University lands at #18 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Rice University lands at #19 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $89,718 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,370 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Cornell University lands at #20 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Amherst College lands at #21 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,644 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Colgate University lands at #22 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $85,139 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #23
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #23 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Haverford College lands at #24 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Davidson College lands at #25 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Northwestern University lands at #26 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $89,363 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,167 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Swarthmore College lands at #27 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Georgetown University lands at #28 with a 82/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $103,494 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,815 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Florida lands at #29 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Washington University in St Louis lands at #30 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $86,182 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,786 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Bates College lands at #31 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $69,498 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,351 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Washington and Lee University lands at #32 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #33 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Lafayette College lands at #34 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Barnard College lands at #35 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $80,516 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,800 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Middlebury College lands at #36 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,310 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,483 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Hamilton College lands at #37 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $78,411 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,985 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
William & Mary lands at #38 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Grinnell College lands at #39 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $62,830 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,648 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
CUNY Queens College lands at #40 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
CUNY Hunter College lands at #41 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
University of Notre Dame lands at #42 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $99,980 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,780 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #43 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Wesleyan University lands at #44 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $73,897 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,177 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Smith College lands at #45 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $64,027 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,579 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #46
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #46 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Emory University lands at #47 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,137 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,585 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Boston College lands at #48 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Tufts University lands at #49 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $83,214 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $39,998 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Brigham Young University lands at #50 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $75,790 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,564 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college is a significant decision, especially when it comes to investing in a social sciences degree. These institutions not only provide valuable education but also yield strong financial returns. For instance, the average earnings for graduates on this list reach $89,087, highlighting the potential for a solid financial future.
What sets these top schools apart is their impressive graduation rates, earnings potential, manageable debt levels, and mobility outcomes. Graduating from one of these institutions often leads to better job opportunities and higher pay. The schools below are ranked based on their return on investment, which means they have demonstrated the ability to deliver substantial financial benefits relative to the costs associated with attending.
For example, Princeton University stands out with an impressive graduation rate of 97% and average earnings of $110,066, while Vanderbilt University, with a graduation rate of 93%, has lower earnings at $91,565. This contrast highlights the importance of weighing not just initial costs but also long-term financial outcomes when making a decision about which college to attend.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 50 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) and CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.2% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College enrolls the most, at 27.6%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 47.4% across the list, peaking at 68.3% at Claremont McKenna College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.79, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Claremont McKenna College is highest at 1.90.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
A closer look at the data reveals that Stanford University outperforms its peers in terms of earnings, offering an average of $124,080. However, it comes with a higher net price of $13,807 compared to Princeton University's $6,128. This showcases a tradeoff between cost and potential return, making it crucial for students to consider what they value most.
As you sift through these 50 schools, think about your own priorities. Factors such as location, program fit, campus culture, and financial aid should weigh heavily in your decision. Each school has unique attributes that may align better with your personal goals. Make a list of what matters most to you and see how these institutions stack up.
Ultimately, this data underscores the importance of a college degree in paving the way for a stable and successful future. For many families, the choice of school can lead to meaningful differences in financial stability and career opportunities. By understanding these numbers, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your aspirations and circumstances.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences ranking? +
Princeton University in Princeton, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $110,066 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 97% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Stanford University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $124,080 ten years after enrollment, well above the $86,630 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 90% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $22,063 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
Related Rankings
