Discover the World’s Top 10 Universities for Communication & Media Studies, Politics, Sociology, Geography, and Anthropology
Ranked based on the latest Times Higher Education World Subject Rankings.
A Look at the Top 10 Social Sciences Universities in 2025
| 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | University | Country/Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | =1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States |
| 2 | 3 | University of Oxford | United Kingdom |
| 3 | =1 | Stanford University | United States |
| 4 | 4 | Harvard University | United States |
| 5 | 5 | Princeton University | United States |
| 6 | 6 | University of Cambridge | United Kingdom |
| 7 | 7 | University of California, Berkeley | United States |
| 8 | 9 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | United States |
| 9 | 8 | London School of Economics and Political Science | United Kingdom |
| 10 | 13 | University of Pennsylvania | United States |
See the full list of top social sciences universities here.
The field of social sciences covers diverse subjects—from international relations and politics to geography.
Graduates with social science degrees pursue careers in both public and private sectors.
Times Higher Education has ranked the world’s 1,093 best universities for social sciences in 2025.
A sixth of the list (160 institutions) are US universities. The UK follows with 100 entries, while Australia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan also feature prominently.
Three UK schools make the top 10 (Oxford, Cambridge, and LSE), while the rest are US-based.
The ranking uses the same method as the World University Rankings but places less emphasis on citations and more on teaching and research.
Top 10 Social Sciences Universities
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT’s School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences offers programs in politics, gender studies, and more.
Founded with courses in psychology and political science, the school now publishes Said and Done, a magazine showcasing faculty research.
All MIT students take social sciences to tackle global challenges. The faculty includes 4 Nobel laureates, 7 MacArthur fellows, and 5 Pulitzer winners.
2. University of Oxford
Oxford’s famous Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) program tackles issues like climate change, poverty, and immigration.
Notable PPE alumni include British prime ministers and Malala Yousafzai, who earned her degree here.
Oxford’s research influences global policy, focusing on big data, urban futures, and economic performance. Other undergrad options include geography, anthropology, and law.
3. Stanford University
Stanford’s social sciences cover anthropology, economics, political science, and sociology, with interdisciplinary programs like ethics, democracy, and urban studies.
Political science students examine US and global politics, linking them to activism, race, and conflict. The anthropology department emphasizes modern relevance.
4. Harvard University
Harvard’s social sciences blend economics, government, sociology, and psychology. Students conduct empirical research, with senior theses using qualitative or quantitative methods.
The Regan Fund brings speakers to discuss global social issues. Harvard collaborates with research centers like the Harvard-MIT Data Center.
5. Princeton University
Princeton offers undergrad and grad programs in American studies, economics, gender studies, and health policy.
Research hubs like the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs drive policy and behavioral science studies.
6. University of Cambridge
Cambridge’s Humanities and Social Sciences School spans African, Latin American, and South Asian studies, with cross-department research.
The school also focuses on public health, food security, and energy conservation.
7. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley’s social sciences include 15 departments, from African American studies to political economy. It’s the university’s largest division, making up 20% of faculty and 25% of students.
8. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Michigan’s undergrad program follows a liberal arts approach, with 3,000+ courses in African studies, anthropology, and cultural studies.
Postgrad options cover 40 subjects, including history and sociology.
9. London School of Economics (LSE)
LSE is a global leader in economics, politics, law, and anthropology. It offers 40+ undergrad programs and various postgrad degrees.
10. University of Pennsylvania
Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences includes anthropology, political science, and criminology, with undergrad, master’s, and PhD options.
