219 Best Public PhD Social Sciences & Psychology Universities in the USA

Compare 2,194 programs at 219 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 2,194 Universities 219 Scholarships 0

219 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1855

US #2 QS World #158 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,680/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $67,253
Students: 40,922

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University of California-Irvine

Irvine, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #4 QS World #189 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,251/yr
Admission rate: 29%
Earnings (10yr): $80,735
Students: 30,197

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University of California-Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California · Public University · Est. 1891

US #5 QS World #200 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,109/yr
Admission rate: 33%
Earnings (10yr): $74,915
Students: 23,113

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Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1766

US #6 QS World #217 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,406/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $74,479
Students: 37,751

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1872

US #10 QS World #291 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,953/yr
Admission rate: 55%
Earnings (10yr): $81,698
Students: 30,923

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University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California · Public University · Est. 1965

US #12 QS World #380 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,890/yr
Admission rate: 66%
Earnings (10yr): $68,396
Students: 17,940

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University of California-Riverside

Riverside, California · Public University · Est. 1954

US #13 QS World #400 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,304/yr
Admission rate: 76%
Earnings (10yr): $67,699
Students: 22,593

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University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1881

US #15 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,097/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 19,835

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Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa · Public University · Est. 1858

US #17 QS World #481 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,589/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $63,386
Students: 25,367

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University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware · Public University · Est. 1743

US #18 QS World #501 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,799/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $72,950
Students: 19,071

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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee · Public University · Est. 1794

US #19 QS World #501 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,976/yr
Admission rate: 42%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 30,418

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University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York · Public University · Est. 1846

US #21 QS World #521 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,995/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $70,814
Students: 20,112

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University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, Missouri · Public University · Est. 1839

US #22 QS World #541 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,268/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $63,403
Students: 23,929

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Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida · Public University · Est. 1851

US #23 QS World #561 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $11,297/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $61,675
Students: 32,212

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University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky · Public University · Est. 1865

US #24 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,851/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $59,025
Students: 24,763

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii · Public University · Est. 1907

US #26 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $15,664/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $57,624
Students: 15,029

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University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida · Public University · Est. 1956

US #27 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,812/yr
Admission rate: 43%
Earnings (10yr): $57,743
Students: 37,207

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University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon · Public University · Est. 1876

US #28 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $22,182/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $61,324
Students: 20,497

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Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado · Public University · Est. 1870

US #31 QS World #621 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $21,279/yr
Admission rate: 89%
Earnings (10yr): $60,543
Students: 25,538

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska · Public University · Est. 1869

US #33 QS World #651 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,747/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $56,887
Students: 19,178

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University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, Oklahoma · Public University · Est. 1890

US #34 QS World #701 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $15,300/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,126
Students: 22,734

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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota · Public University · Est. 1851

US #37 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,778/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $69,020
Students: 31,855

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington · Public University · Est. 1861

US #38 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,091/yr
Admission rate: 39%
Earnings (10yr): $78,466
Students: 31,942

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What this subject pays

Graduates of Social Sciences & Psychology programmes report a median $34,704 two years after finishing, across 422 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $25,000.

Social Sciences & Psychology pay by degree level →

Social Sciences & Psychology at other levels

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for public PhD Social Sciences & Psychology universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, University of California-Irvine, University of California-Santa Barbara. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study public PhD Social Sciences & Psychology universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying public PhD Social Sciences & Psychology universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About public PhD Social Sciences & Psychology universities in the USA

This page lists public PhD Social Sciences & Psychology universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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