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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k)

170 Ranked Colleges
3,621 Degrees Awarded
$47,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 205,726 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,621 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 170 colleges that offered a degree in social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality 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 social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

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

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

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Yale has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Yale University

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 43 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Duke University

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Pennsylvania Social Sciences Report

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #4 spot on the list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Stanford

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northwestern

#6

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Harvard University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Harvard University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 70 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Harvard University

#7

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Princeton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Princeton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.

Read more about Social Sciences at Princeton

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425.

Read more about Social Sciences at Johns Hopkins

#9

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Washington University in St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Washington University in St Louis Social Sciences Report

#10

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#14 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown Social Sciences Report

#11

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 71 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Social Sciences Report

#12

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 55 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at U-M

#13

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#17 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Vanderbilt University

#14

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell University is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 35 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cornell University Social Sciences Report

#15

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 36 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Florida

#16

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#20 in overall quality

Rice University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Rice

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#18

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

Tufts University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tufts has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Tufts University

#19

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
Top 20% in overall quality

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Georgetown is also in the top of our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591.

Read more about Social Sciences at Georgetown University

#20

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Social Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Social Sciences Report

#23

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Notre Dame

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#25

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

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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