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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

25 Ranked Colleges
631 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 19,742 people earned their degree in general social sciences, making the major the 51st most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, general social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $31,665 and had an average of $22,423 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 631 general social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general social sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Social Sciences Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Johns Hopkins

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 235 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UChicago General Social Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York General Social Sciences Report

#4

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and it awarded 5 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The Citadel also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at The Citadel are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at The Citadel

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Michigan State University

#6

Towson University

Towson, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Towson University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Towson also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Towson University are $18,972.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Towson

#7

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #7, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U also took the #0 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Boston U

#8 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full ASU - Tempe General Social Sciences Report

California State University - San Bernardino came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 10 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - San Bernardino are $17,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUSB General Social Sciences Report

#12 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Dallas General Social Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Flint landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Flint, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UM Flint did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UM Flint are $18,202.

Full UM Flint General Social Sciences Report

#12

Mercer University

Macon, Georgia
#5 in overall quality

Mercer University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macon, Georgia, and it awarded 14 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Mercer also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mercer University are $15,264.

Full Mercer University General Social Sciences Report

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

CU Anschutz also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are $23,915, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Social Sciences at CU Anschutz

With a ranking of #14, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this medium-sized public school awarded 31 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Florida A&M University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida A&M University are $24,669, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

#10 in overall quality

California State University - Chico came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Chico State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Chico State

#16

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bellevue University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Bellevue, Nebraska. It awarded 88 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bellevue University has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Bellevue University

#17

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, SLU has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Louis University are $22,074, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at SLU

#18

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

Humboldt State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Humboldt State University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802.

Full Humboldt State University General Social Sciences Report

#19

Western Oregon University

Monmouth, Oregon
#15 in overall quality

Western Oregon University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Oregon State College is located in Monmouth, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Oregon State College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Oregon State College are $28,518, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Western Oregon University General Social Sciences Report

#20

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Troy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Troy, Alabama, this fairly large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TROY, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TROY are $16,156, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at TROY

#21

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Edinboro is located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Edinboro also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Edinboro are $17,835, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

#22

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Cal U is a medium-sized public school situated in California, Pennsylvania. It awarded 14 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California University of Pennsylvania are $18,508, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Social Sciences at California University of Pennsylvania

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#24

Southern University and A & M College

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
#23 in overall quality

Southern University and A & M College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Southern University and A & M College is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Southern University and A & M College also took the #23 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern University and A & M College are $16,684, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Southern University and A & M College

#25

Roger Williams University

Bristol, Rhode Island
#6 in overall quality

Roger Williams University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Roger Williams University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bristol, Rhode Island. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

RWU also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roger Williams University are $17,916, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Roger Williams University

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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