Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

General Social Sciences

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

25 Ranked Colleges
631 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

General Social Sciences is the 51st most popular major in the country with 19,742 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree in general social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general social sciences programs, but they also cost less that 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 the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #1 spot on the list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

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.

Full Johns Hopkins General Social Sciences Report

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 235 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UChicago General Social Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 29 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#4

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston University landed the #4 spot on the list. Boston U is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 1 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Boston University

#5

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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #5 spot on the list. The Citadel is a small school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 5 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The Citadel did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are $18,540, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Citadel Military College of South Carolina General Social Sciences Report

With a ranking of #6, California State University - San Bernardino did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUSB is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 10 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUSB also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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.

Read more about General Social Sciences at California State University - San Bernardino

#12 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 10 masters’s social sciences degrees 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.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 3 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.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Arizona State University - Tempe

#18 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UM Flint also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UM Flint are $18,202.

Read more about General Social Sciences at UM Flint

#10

Towson University

Towson, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Towson University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Towson, Maryland, and it awarded 4 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Towson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Towson University are $18,972, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Towson

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU Anschutz, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CU Anschutz are $23,915, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CU Anschutz General Social Sciences Report

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 31 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida A&M University, the school also landed the #21 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 Florida A&M University are $24,669.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

#13

Mercer University

Macon, Georgia
#5 in overall quality

Mercer University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Macon, Georgia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mercer did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mercer are $15,264, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mercer University General Social Sciences Report

#14

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 1 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k 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 University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State General Social Sciences Report

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chico State are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Chico State

#16

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bellevue University is located in Bellevue, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 88 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Bellevue University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Bellevue University

#17

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SLU has also earned the #0 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 SLU are $22,074.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at SLU

#18

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Humboldt State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Arcata, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humboldt State University, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Humboldt State University are $18,802, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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 $30-$48k list. Monmouth, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Western Oregon State College also took 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.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Western Oregon University

#20

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Cal U is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal U are $18,508.

Full California University of Pennsylvania General Social Sciences Report

#21

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edinboro is a public institution located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Edinboro also made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania are $17,835, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

#22

Troy University

Troy, Alabama
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Troy University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. TROY is a public institution located in Troy, Alabama. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

TROY not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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 University

With a ranking of #23, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 made our “Best General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at OHIO Athens

#24

Southern University and A & M College

Baton Rouge, Louisiana
#23 in overall quality

Southern University and A & M College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern University and A & M College, the school also landed 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 came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Roger Williams University is located in Bristol, Rhode Island and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at RWU, the school also landed 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.

Full Roger Williams University General Social Sciences Report

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.

Credits

Featured Political and Social Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You