25 Best Bachelor’s in Social Studies

In the heart of the Puget Sound is the University of Washington-Seattle. Home to more than 46,000 students (along with a faculty that includes seven Nobel Prize winners), the school is known for its high quality of academics and its student-centered approach.

Here, you can choose between taking classes fully on-campus (there are three University of Washington satellite campuses to choose from) as well as online. The school maintains one of the world’s largest university library systems, a network that supports a whopping 606 different degree options.

The Bachelor of Arts in integrated social studies takes a blended approach, combining asynchronous and cohort-based learning formats. You’ll complete 185 credit hours of study and for the most part, can complete classes when it’s most convenient for you. You’ll take classes that are divided into seven main thematic areas, exploring everything from technology to intercultural power relations. 

Before you leave campus, you’ll complete a final capstone experience that will require you to craft, publish, and then present a  portfolio demonstrating your acquired skills. You can complete the degree in as little as one year if you take the right combination of classes on a full-time schedule. 

Just 13 miles from downtown Orlando, the University of Central Florida has an idyllic location in the sunshine state—at least, that’s one factor that draws more than 66,000 students to its campus each and every year. With an enrollment that is considered the largest single-campus enrollment in the country, the University of Central Florida is a clear winner when it comes to the best bachelor’s in social studies degrees.

The school offers more than 200 majors spread out amongst 13 colleges, one of which is the web-based Bachelor of Science in social science. This multidisciplinary program takes such a broad approach to the field, offering learners a solid training in communication, theory, and research. You’ll be able to declare a major from thirteen available options, including psychology, anthropology, communications, political science, sociology, and more. You can also select three minors. 

Before you graduate, you’ll complete coursework in statistics and research methods so that you can improve your readiness for just about any career. To apply, you’ll just have to submit your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores. While you are enrolled, you’ll be able to participate in a variety of internships in the social sciences as well as undergraduate research teams, honor societies, and more.

The University of Maryland is a public nonprofit university that is one of the globe’s earliest and largest providers of higher education programs to nontraditional students. Although you can certainly study on-campus in Prince George County, MD, you’ll find that the virtual campus is just as satisfactory. 

In fact, this global campus has received national renown for replacing all required textbooks with zero-cost online course materials. As a result, more than 90,000 students enroll in one of the school’s 90 different majors each year. The 120-credit Bachelor of Science in social science combines the core theoretical aspects of the social sciences with hard hands-on training in research methodologies. 

As a student in this program, you will gain valuable insights into the key social issues that impact our communities and daily functioning. You’ll complete 30 credits of major courses login with 41 credits of general education courses, but then you can choose a degree focus and pursue 12 credits in a concentration such as gerontology, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. Before graduation, all students are required to complete a final capstone project to gain additional experiential training, too.

For students who know they want to major in social sciences but can’t decide on a specific focus, the Bachelor of Arts in social sciences at Washington State is an excellent choice. Here, you’ll have the ultimate level of flexibility and can customize your learning experience with interdisciplinary curricular choices. 

After you’ve completed your core courses, you’ll be able to select an area of interest, such as history, women’s studies, political science, criminal justice, anthropology, comparative ethnic studies, or administrative studies. You’ll complete 24 semester credits in your track of choice. 

This program is available both on campus as well as online. Choose to study online, and you’ll have access to the same personalized learning resources you would get on campus, including a virtual mentor program, streaming media archives, and more. You can earn a degree in less than four years (some students graduate in as few as two!). Plus, you’ll be able to pay lower tuition rates if you choose to study as a distance learner—regardless of your state of residence.

As the oldest public university in the state of Kansas, Kansas State University first opened its doors in 1858 as a land- and space-grant agricultural institute. Today, the school educates nearly 23,000 students in 65 different academic departments, with 70 different online degrees and professional programs to choose from. 

The Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary social science is, as the name implies, one of the best for students seeking a more broad-based approach to their learning. You’ll complete 120 credit hours of courses in nine core content areas, including history, economics, anthropology, geography, and mass communications. You can take up to 21 credits per semester so that you graduate more quickly. 

The degree is available both online and on-campus, with courses starting in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Choose to study online, and you’ll pay the same tuition rates as in-state learners regardless of your state of residency. Most students can complete their studies in as few as four years, but you can graduate more quickly if you choose to study full-time.

California State University at Chico is the second-oldest university in the California State University system. Located just an hour and a half or so from Sacramento, this school was originally founded as a teaching college and today offers well over 150 different majors. 

A fully online degree, the Bachelor of Arts in social science is the perfect option for students who want to keep their options open. You can pursue two tracks in this degree—one in multidisciplinary studies or one in interdisciplinary studies. Both are open to distance learners and can provide you with a broad background in the social sciences. 

The multidisciplinary option is a great program for students who want to earn their teaching credentials in the state of California. The other specialization is a good choice for students who wish to work in fields like career placement, social services, or school counseling. 

If you choose to study online, you’ll complete a mandatory computer course along with other core required courses like sociology, career and life planning, and more. All students will complete a final capstone project to bring together their newly acquired skills, too. 

Located in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing cities, Troy University, found in Troy, AL, is growing just as quickly. Don’t worry, though—you aren’t going to be just another face in the crowd when you choose to study here. Faculty are dedicated to student success and will do whatever it takes to make sure you are successful.

This university educates more than 18,000 students at its four campuses in Alabama along with its virtual campus. You can choose from a variety of hybrid and traditional programs, including a bachelor’s degree in social science. This 120-credit hour degree includes concepts from a myriad of disciplines, including economics, geography, and anthropology. Your courses will teach you how to think critically and apply your understanding of social science research methodologies to your work.

There are several concentrations you can choose from, if you desire, including a general social science concentration, a leadership track, and a geography track. The leadership track is perfect for prospective educators. Otherwise, most students will go on to pursue entry-level work in social work, criminal justice, and public affairs. You won’t have to hang around long—most students complete their studies in less than four years. 

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas might be located less than two miles from the Las Vegas Strip, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t get a serious education when you choose to study here. 

In fact, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers one of the best environments for students who want to pursue a career in the social sciences. The Bachelor of Arts in social science is one of twelve degrees offered entirely online (as well as on-campus, where it joins a collection of more than 350 other majors). 

Choose to study in this program, and you’ll be able to create a customized curriculum plan that not only satisfies your interests but also provides you with a broad overview of the field. You’ll study the history of the social sciences and learn how to analyze social problems, gaining skills and knowledge that span several disciplines. 

A 120-credit hour program, this degree wraps up with a capstone project, which can take the form of a paper, project, or presentation. In most cases, you’ll be able to earn a degree in just four years.

Dickinson State University offers prospective learners several options in which to earn a social studies degree, including a stand-alone Bachelor of Arts in composite social science, an online degree, and a Bachelor of Arts in composite social science with a criminal justice track. 

No matter which option you pursue, you’ll find one of the best training programs possible at Dickinson State. The school opened its doors in 1918 with the goal of educating aspiring teachers in rural North Dakota. Now, the school is home to a modest student body of just over 27,000 students, offering majors in more than 75 different areas. 

The social science degree includes 120 credit hours that will help you build your skills in social science theories, critical thinking skills, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. You will explore course topics such as modern American culture, microeconomics, sociology, geography, and more. Of course, before you graduate, you will also complete a research-based capstone that will enable you to bring together everything you have learned in your program thus far. 

Most students can complete their degrees in four years or less. This program is highly affordable, offering low tuition rates to in-state students as well as those from Minnesota and of states that are contiguous to North Dakota.

If you want to earn a degree in social studies, you won’t find a better place to do so than in the heart of the Big Apple itself. This city that never sleeps is home to a number of prestigious and profound institutions of higher learning. New York University is home to the College of Arts and Science, which has eight major departments: anthropology, economics, bioethics, journalism, environmental studies, sociology, politics, and linguistics. 

When you choose to study here, you’ll be able to work in more than a dozen research centers, including the Center for Religion and Media and the Native Studies Forum. This program is one of the best for aspiring lawyers, since it features concentrations in areas like organizational behavior, sociology, and politics.

New York University, or NYU, has one of the best career placement rates around. In fact, nearly 60% of all students accept a job offer before they even leave campus. This is due in part to the exceptional education you’ll receive here, but also as a result of the virtual and in-person career services you can utilize (such as coaching sessions, career events, and internship job boards).

Looking for an affordable way to earn your degree in social studies? Look no further than Southeast Missouri State University. Choose to study online here, and you’ll pay the same tuition that you would pay if you were an in-state learner. 

The Bachelor of Arts in social sciences at Southeast Missouri State University is available both on-campus as well as online. A well-balanced program, it is one of the best at preparing learners for careers in academia. You can choose to study at the virtual campus as well as at one of three regional campuses in the state of Missouri. 

You’ll be given the flexibility to choose an area of concentration as well as a minor. Sample concentrations include sociology, criminal justice, anthropology, political science, economics, and psychology. All courses are offered in traditional 16-week sessions during the spring and fall semesters with eight-week sessions available for students to study for free in case you want to expedite your degree. While you are enrolled, you will have access to a dedicated faculty mentor who will help you navigate the 120-credit hour curriculum. 

The school has a unique emphasis on professional preparation and experiential learning, so all undergraduate programs, regardless of your major, will include field study or internship components. You can further hone your area of interest by pursuing career-focused opportunities in law enforcement, research, social service management, and public policy, too.

The bachelor’s degree in social sciences at Portland State University will require you to take up to 180 credit hours—but don’t worry, you’ll still be able to complete your degree in less than four years. 

This public institution offers quality education to thousands of students studying on-campus as well as online. This degree will enable you to hone your concentration on a single focus area within the social science discipline, or you can enroll in multiple concentrations across program departments, too. Options include history; criminology and criminal justice; geography; Indigenous Nations studies; women, gender, and sexuality studies; Black studies; and anthropology. 

Most of your courses can be completed online. You can pursue a dual concentration in sociology and psychology if you want to pursue an eventual master’s in social work or counseling, too, making it a good choice for students who want that sort of no-fuss pathway. This degree is also an excellent choice for adult learners who are interested in becoming teachers.

Located just 100 miles east of Seattle in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is the state’s fastest-growing public university. This school has a relatively young virtual campus, founded only in 2011, but since its inception, it has become one of the premier providers of online programs. 

About 2,500 students here live on campus but a vast majority choose to pursue degrees online instead. The school offers more than 135 majors, including an online Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies-social sciences. This degree is highly customizable, enabling students to take a more hands-on approach as they design their programs of study. You can pursue a large major or you can combine a smaller major of study with an additional minor. 

No matter which option you choose, you will take core courses that build your skills in analysis, leadership, problem-solving, communication, and more. You can choose to specialize in topics like geography, American Indian studies, environmental studies, and women’s and gender studies.

Regardless of the option you choose, you will be required to complete a senior portfolio before you complete your degree. This portfolio will bring together everything you have learned so far and will also require you to complete a social science research course in social science methods, research methods in criminal justice, or ethnographic field methods. 

With 35 learning centers spread out throughout the state of New York, SUNY Empire State College offers distance learners one of the best opportunities to earn a degree without having to leave home. The school not only has multiple physical campuses, but it also has more than 400 web-based classes in 12 subject areas and several locations in Greece, Lebanon, and the Czech Republic. 

The Bachelor of Arts in social sciences is perfect for students seeking a more customizable online program. You’ll be able to work directly with an academic advisor to create a program of study that aligns closely with your unique academic and career goals. The curriculum includes a number of historic and theoretical perspectives, along with a broad overview of economic, social, and political structures. 

You’ll build your skills in critical thinking and analysis as you explore the major limitations and strengths of social science theories. There are numerous concentrations, including those in women’s studies, political science, social theory, and African American studies—or you can create your own interdisciplinary academic track. Each course will require you to commit to about 10 hours of study per week.

This degree is incredibly affordable, with applications accepted three times per year. There are dozens of institutional scholarships you can apply for, many of which are dependent on your financial need.

What could be more idyllic than studying on one of the beautiful islands of Hawaii? Since the University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu first opened its doors in 1976, it has served as one of the premier institutions of higher education in the state. The university is constantly growing, continuously adding new buildings, facilities, and majors to its campus to serve its growing population of more than 3,082 undergraduate students. 

Choose to study at the University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu and you’ll be able to choose from three separate online bachelor’s degrees in social sciences: political science, psychology, and early childhood education. Regardless of the option you select, you’ll take 120 credit hours and study in 15-week blocks. You may also be required to complete an internship.

Internships are not required but are offered to all students here regardless of their majors. You’ll also have access to a variety of other career-building opportunities, such as virtual events, career advising, interest assessments, and more. The average class size here is just 20 students, so you don’t have to worry about feeling like just another face in the crowd. 

To apply, you’ll need to have a minimum of a 2.7 GPA and meet certain prerequisites for some courses. 

The Pennsylvania State University World Campus offers a bachelor’s degree in integrated social sciences that is one of the best for learners looking for a flexible, asynchronous approach to education. Here, you’ll learn everything you need to pursue a rewarding career in economics, anthropology, or history—or to enroll in a master’s program. 

You will not only take extensive coursework in these areas, but you’ll also create an experiential learning portfolio that you can use as you hunt for jobs. The university has one of the best career services departments around. You’ll be partnered with a career advisor who can help you write your resume, prepare for interviews, and more. As a result, more than 70% of alumni have secured jobs before they even graduate. 

As an online student, you won’t have to worry about paying additional fees, even if you are an out-of-state learner. You will pay tuition on a flat per-semester tuition rate (so it may make sense to take more classes and graduate quickly, depending on your learning style).

Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a unique nonprofit institution with more than 50,000 graduates all over the world. It is a national leader in preparing students for career success, offering a one-of-a-kind “Real Mastery” approach that helps students not just learn, but master the content that they need to be successful. The school is repeatedly ranked as one of the best for military students.

The online bachelor’s in behavioral science at Bellevue is a unique and highly interdisciplinary degree, combining core coursework in sociology, psychology, and counseling. It is set up as a degree completion program, enabling students to complete 40 major-related credits and a capstone in addition to core prerequisites (which can be taken at other universities). 

You’ll graduate with a leg up on the competition, since Bellevue does an excellent job of preparing students for lifelong careers in the social sciences. Not only will you be able to work one-on-one with a dedicated career advisor, learning valuable networking and interviewing skills, but you’ll also have access to personalized job hunting tips and resume templates, too. 

In your courses, you’ll receive the preparation necessary to move on to a later graduate degree in human services, clinical mental health counseling, or other fields. You’ll study in an accelerated cohort-based format so that you can share experiences with your peers and benefit from their expertise, too.

Looking for an affordable online program in social studies? If so, you might want to consider enrolling in the social science bachelor’s degree at Brandman University. This program includes a four-course curriculum that requires about four to eight weeks to complete, depending on the format. However, the real benefit of this program, offered at one of California’s premier private, non-profit institutions, is that it charges per-credit unit tuition rates that are identical for both in-state and out-of-state students.

The bachelor’s in social sciences is one of more than 31 different online undergraduate programs. Many of these degrees feature self-paced coursework and the option to pursue an accelerated plan of study. You’ll be able to use cutting-edge technology as you explore the connections that exist between culture, people, and geography. 

You’ll take core classes that cover topics such as research design, quantitative methods, and statistical models. After you have built your core knowledge, you can go on to study two or more specialized fields in-depth, with options including marketing, social work, legal studies, and more. Before you graduate, you’ll synthesize what you have learned in a final capstone project and course, too, which will prove to be an invaluable addition to your portfolio as you search for jobs.  

Located in the northeastern Nevada city of Elko, Great Basin College has four branch campuses along with 12 separate satellite facilities. The school is also home to a dynamic eLearning program that is famous for its use of cutting-edge technologies. 

If you’re a nontraditional learner, you won’t find a better place to earn a degree than Great Basin. Here, the school offers professional certificates, associate, and bachelor’s degrees to students majoring in in-demand fields like education, business, social sciences, and health. More than three-quarters of the student body is enrolled on a part-time basis, and many are over the age of 25.

The 120-credit hour Bachelor of Arts in social sciences is a degree completion program that emphasizes four major social science disciplines – political science, anthropology, history, and psychology. You’ll take courses like Public Opinion and Political Behavior, Social Psychology, and Indians of North America. Before you graduate, you’ll be required to complete a final capstone course, and you can choose to pursue an internship, too.

As the third-largest public university in Maine, the University of Maine Augusta has locations in the state’s capital as well as in Bangor and other centers around the state. It’s a top choice not just for students from the state of Maine but for distance learners from all over the country, too.

The University of Maine Augusta offers a social science program that can be completed both on-campus as well as online. A Bachelor of Arts degree, it encompasses a variety of disciplines so that you can hone your skills in social research. As you might imagine, it’s best for students who are interested in careers in academia.

This degree consists of 58 credits of major courses that focus on social network analysis, social theories, community study, and social media analytics. You’ll be able to gain practical experience in an area of choice as you conduct research by yourself or with a group.

This society-centered degree enables most students to graduate in less than four years. You will take classes such as Criminology, Human Rights Violation: Torture and Trauma, and Cultivating Community, just to name a few. On average, you will take around 15 credits per semester.

The University of Alaska Southeast is located in the gorgeous Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. Here, the school offers traditional programs in in-demand fields like marine biology, business, fisheries, education, and more.

But don’t worry—you don’t necessarily have to brave the cold and snow if you want to study at the University of Alaska Southeast. Instead, you can pursue an online bachelor’s degree in social sciences. Here, you’ll be able to choose from five different concentration areas: psychology, sociology, political science/government, anthropology, and history. You don’t have to study online if you don’t want to, either—this degree is also available on-campus in Juneau. 

No matter which one you choose, you’ll be able to take part in a curriculum that emphasizes the development of analytical, research, and writing skills. As a student in this program, you will automatically be given extensive access to career resources like mock interviews, resume critiques, interview particles, and more. 

A 120-credit hour program, the Bachelor of Arts in social sciences will enable you to take classes such as Research Methods in Social Science, Methods and Theories in Archaeology, and Concepts and Contemporary Applications of Mathematics. You’ll have all the flexibility you could possibly want—and need—when you choose to enroll in this dynamic program.

Founded in 2007 with the goal of educating adult learners both near and afar, Colorado State University’s global campus is dedicated to providing high-quality academic programs in flexible formats to students everywhere.

This university’s degrees are accessible and affordable—in fact, tuition costs have remained the same for more than six years. The university welcomes more than 19,000 distance learners each year to its 14 bachelor’s and 12 different master’s degrees.

Among these is the exceptional bachelor’s in applied social sciences. This degree is rigorous and intensive, consisting of 120 credit hours. You’ll explore a variety of topics, including community development, ethnic relations, and applied organizational psychology through your coursework. You will also be able to select an area of specialization from nearly two dozen options. Some of the most popular include marketing, criminal forensics, and public and nonprofit management.

Before you graduate, you will be required to complete a practicum experience at a nearby location of your choosing as well as a final capstone research course. 

Roger Williams University is located in the scenic waterfront city of Bristol, RI. This school is one of the best for transfer students, awarding up to 90 college credits for eligible professional certifications, personal experiences, military service, employee training, and of course, college credits. The university is highly affordable, too, offering significant tuition discounts to partner members and employees. 

The online Bachelor of General Studies in social science at Roger Williams is offered through University College. This unique program will help you develop a keen understanding of core topics in the social sciences, such as culture, history, the humanities, and politics.

It requires 120 total credit hours of study, including 24 major credits, 30 core credits, and a whopping 66 credits of electives. Through these classes, you will build your skills in writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

You’ll be able to hand-select each and every one of your classes so that you have the ultimate level of control over your degree. You can take courses online or on-campus, studying through the unique Bridges e-learning platform if you decide to study from afar.

Assumption College is another great choice for students who aspire to study online. A Roman Catholic college, the school offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in social sciences degree that consists of 120-credit hours of study. Located in Worcester, MA, Assumption not only offers high-quality instruction, but it does so in a convenient, affordable way. 

You’ll explore a variety of complex themes and social science theories in your coursework. Ten core liberal arts courses are required, providing you with a vital foundational knowledge that will serve you well as you progress toward a degree. After your foundational courses are complete, you can choose to specialize in psychology or criminal justice, both of which require night courses and 24 credits. You will also have to complete a capstone project prior to graduation.

Want to graduate more quickly? Assumption College also offers an accelerated pathway that will enable you to take each course in a short, convenient seven-and-a-half week block.

With a main campus in Albany, NY, Excelsior College first opened its doors in 1971 as an external degree program. To this day, Excelsior continues to offer a vast majority of its programs through a distance education format. A majority of the school’s 36,000 students are employed full-time, and more than half are over the age of 30. 

The Bachelor of Science in social sciences from Excelsior is one of the best. This interdisciplinary program combines courses from a variety of academic disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, economics, and political science. This unique degree will provide you with the preparation you need to work in a variety of settings. 

You’ll take 120 credit hours via this program and you can choose to pursue an optional human services concentration as well. Your classes will cover topics such as organizational behavior, multicultural issues in criminal justice, and social science research. Before you graduate, you will complete a three-credit capstone course exploring an area of your own choosing.