2026 Best Value Other Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Other Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/other-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 153 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other social sciences students.
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Featured Other Social Sciences Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools
For return on investment in other social sciences, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $19,307. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $30,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,307 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other social sciences will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $61,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Students looking for strong value in other social sciences will find it at Williams College, which ranked #4. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $12,615. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $53,652. Set against $12,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Riverside one of the best values for other social sciences. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,833 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $39,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #6 position for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $41,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #7 for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $28,194. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine placed #8 among the best values for other social sciences. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $24,825. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $35,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #9 for value in other social sciences this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $28,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #10 position for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $32,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University earned the #11 position for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $20,500. Other Social Sciences graduates of Towson University earn a median of $36,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #12 position for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Eastern Oregon University came in at #13 for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,184, compared with $24,729 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $42,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kalamazoo College earned the #14 position for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,900. Students borrow a median of $24,821 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $28,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,821 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #15 spot for other social sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $34,845. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for other social sciences. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $42,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #17 position for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The Sage Colleges placed #18 among the best values for other social sciences. The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $38,164 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,865 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of The Sage Colleges earn a median of $27,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,865 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #19 position for value in other social sciences this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $25,234. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Keystone College landed the #20 spot for other social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,300. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $35,568. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Keystone College admits about 85% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #21 position for value in other social sciences this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $48,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wesleyan University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Clark University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Clark University earn a median of $48,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #24 for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,150 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore generally make around $33,993. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester placed #25 among the best values for other social sciences. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,366 in student loans. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $37,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in other social sciences:
Other Other Social Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Other Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
