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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

37 Ranked Colleges
585 Degrees Awarded
$32,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. 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.

Across the Southeast region, there were 36,473 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,224 and $23,992 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 585 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region 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) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 43 students in 2019-2020.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Duke Social Sciences Report

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 16 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” 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

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Florida

#4

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #4 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UNC Chapel Hill

#5

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800.

Read more about Social Sciences at William & Mary

#6

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#3 in overall quality

Emory University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Emory

#15 in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

USF Tampa also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#23 in overall quality

Florida International University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Full FIU Social Sciences Report

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 9 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Central Florida

#11 in overall quality

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgia Tech, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus are $31,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

#11

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

North Carolina State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Carolina State University is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 20 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at NC State are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full North Carolina State University Social Sciences Report

#12

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#19 in overall quality

Florida State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Florida State University

#13

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 30 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#14

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#10 in overall quality

University of Georgia landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Georgia

#15

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

Virginia Tech landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547.

Full Virginia Tech Social Sciences Report

#12 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a 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 UT Knoxville, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#17

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#14 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 30 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Louisiana State University

#19

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

With a ranking of #19, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ole Miss is located in University, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Mississippi

#20

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WVU are $26,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WVU Social Sciences Report

#21

Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana
#9 in overall quality

Tulane University of Louisiana did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Tulane University of Louisiana is a fairly large school located in New Orleans, Louisiana that handed out 18 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tulane, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tulane University of Louisiana are $61,176, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Tulane Social Sciences Report

#22

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#16 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UofSC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UofSC Social Sciences Report

#23

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University

#24

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#13 in overall quality

Clemson University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 14 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Clemson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246.

Full Clemson University Social Sciences Report

#25

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kentucky is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 21 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UK are $33,216.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Kentucky

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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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