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7 Best Development Studies Bachelor's Universities in the United States 2026

These bachelor's degrees in Social Sciences & Psychology in the United States are for applicants comparing undergraduate study routes in 2026. They suit students who want a first degree leading into further study or work in people-focused fields.

Ranked by our transparent composite score, with QS rankings, tuition fees and entry requirements.

7 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
5
UA The University of Alabama logo

The University of Alabama

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
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Founded
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7
FL Fort Lewis College logo

Fort Lewis College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open
Tuition (indicative)
—
Founded
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Related Bachelor's subjects

Anthropology Bachelor's Communication & Media Bachelor's Counselling Bachelor's Criminology Bachelor's International Relations Bachelor's Political Science Bachelor's Psychology Bachelor's Social Work Bachelor's

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities worldwide for Bachelor's Development Studies?▾

Based on our composite ranking, the top choices include California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, University of California, Davis, University of San Francisco. See the full ranked list above with QS positions, tuition fees and entry requirements.

How much does a Bachelor's in Development Studies cost abroad?▾

Tuition varies by university and is indicative on each profile — public universities are generally the most affordable, while private and international branch campuses charge more. Scholarships can reduce costs significantly.

Can international students study Development Studies abroad?▾

Yes. Most programmes are taught in English and open to international students, who apply for a student visa through the immigration authority after accepting an offer.

How are these universities ranked?▾

We use a transparent composite score combining QS World/Asia positions, your destination country’s star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. See our ranking methodology for the exact weights.

Studying Development Studies at Bachelor's level abroad

your destination country is a popular, affordable destination for Development Studies at Bachelor's level, with provincially accredited programmes taught in English at both public and private universities, plus international branch campuses. The universities above are ordered by our composite ranking score, which combines QS World and QS Americas positions, your destination country’s star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — with no paid placement.

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A bachelor's degree at this level is an undergraduate route that builds broad knowledge in social sciences and psychology before a later decision on work, graduate study, or professional training. The mix on this list includes public and private institutions, and one option is in Cambridge, which may matter if you want an urban setting rather than a smaller campus location.

The clearest published fee is for Harvard University, with tuition from USD 48,500. For the other institutions, fee information is missing, so you should compare cost directly with each university before deciding.

Before applying, confirm the exact tuition, the full programme title, entry requirements, and whether the course is offered in the study format you need. You should also verify the city, since only one institution has a city stated, and check any programme details that may differ by campus or department.