by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for general social sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in general social sciences, no school beat South Texas College this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for general social sciences. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,238. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $20,238 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Central Texas College one of the best values for general social sciences. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,290. General Social Sciences graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for general social sciences. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,679. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,429 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $45,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.