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1,001 Best Social Sciences & Psychology Universities in the United States

Harvard University leads the 1,001 Social Sciences & Psychology universities in the United States at #5 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by Cornell University (QS World #13) and University of Chicago (QS World #13). Across the whole list there are 5,360 courses to choose from.

1,001 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
26Ranked
VU Vanderbilt University logo
QS World #250 #58 in United States United States

Vanderbilt University

Public University · 14 courses in Social Sciences & Psychology

All 14 courses →
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#250 QS World University Rankings 2026
#58 in United States
27Ranked
UV University of Virginia, Charlottesville logo
QS World #275 #61 in United States United States

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Public University · 12 courses in Social Sciences & Psychology

All 12 courses →
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#275 QS World University Rankings 2026
#61 in United States
30Ranked
UA University of Arizona logo
QS World #287 #69 in United States United States
#287 QS World University Rankings 2026
#69 in United States
34Ranked
RU Rutgers University-New Brunswick logo
QS World #328 #83 in United States New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Public University · 4 courses in Social Sciences & Psychology

USD 37,441/yrTuition (indicative)
Founded
37,751Students
International
Admissions open
#328 QS World University Rankings 2026
#83 in United States
37Ranked
YU Yeshiva University logo
QS World #413 #91 in United States United States
#413 QS World University Rankings 2025
#91 in United States
38Ranked
CS Colorado State University-Fort Collins logo
QS World #442 #97 in United States Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Public University · 6 courses in Social Sciences & Psychology

All 6 courses →
USD 34,783/yrTuition (indicative)
Founded
25,538Students
International
Admissions open
#442 QS World University Rankings 2025
#97 in United States
43Ranked
WS Washington State University at Vancouver logo
QS World #466 #103 in United States United States
#466 QS World University Rankings 2025
#103 in United States
44Ranked
UA University of Alaska - Fairbanks logo
QS World #467 #104 in United States United States
#467 QS World University Rankings 2023
#104 in United States

How these universities are ranked

69 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #5 (Harvard University) to #593 (University of Central Florida); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. Harvard University has the largest research record in this group, with 146,463,495 citations and an h-index of 2,807. 35 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

The split is 991 public to 10 private institutions. By location, New York (6), Massachusetts (4) and Texas (3) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is Harvard University, founded in 1636. Ohio State University-Main Campus is the largest, with 45,638 students.

Inside the course list

By level: 3,463 bachelor's, 482 master's, 159 diploma and 84 phd / doctorate. Within the subject, the largest areas are Social Sciences & Psychology (5,168), Psychology (32), Communication & Media (30) and Anthropology (28). The usual length is 4 years and 1–2 years. 95% are full-time and 236 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (98% of courses with a stated intake). Humboldt State University offers the widest choice, with 63 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 38 of these universities. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at USD 5,274 a year and Columbia University the most at USD 66,000; the middle of the range is about USD 21,833. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Social Sciences & Psychology in the United States?

Harvard University (QS World #5), Cornell University (QS World #13) and University of Chicago (QS World #13) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Social Sciences & Psychology in the United States?

Of those with published fees, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at about USD 5,274 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Social Sciences & Psychology in the United States?

991 public and 10 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Social Sciences & Psychology course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 1–2 years the next most common.

When do Social Sciences & Psychology courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Social Sciences & Psychology online with a university in the United States?

236 of these courses are listed as online.

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