2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
For return on investment in general social sciences, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,848 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $32,749. Set against $10,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $22,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brookdale Community College earned it the #5 place for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $26,231. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Suny Empire State College placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Wilmington University placed #7 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,054. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockland Community College landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Trinity Washington University came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Towson University came in at #10 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $37,934. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #11 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,599. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $50,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #12 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,600. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.
Mercy College placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $36,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University At Buffalo placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $21,000. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $28,844. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #17 spot for general social sciences value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sparkill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,519. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mount Saint Mary College placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,450. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $65,715. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Adelphi University came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. Students borrow a median of $26,593 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Set against $26,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt came in at #21 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,220 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Dominican College Of Blauvelt generally make around $28,351. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican College Of Blauvelt admits about 63% of applicants.
Touro College landed the #22 spot for general social sciences value this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Students borrow a median of $33,937 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $40,111. That is a strong return on a $33,937 median debt. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $16,155. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Bard College came in at #24 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,436. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $23,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #25 among the best values for general social sciences. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,016. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general social sciences this year:
Narrow General Social Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
