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

20 Ranked Colleges
320 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that 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 Southwest region, there were 14,301 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,155 and $22,401 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 320 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,970 and $95,025 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

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

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Rice University is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 13 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rice has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913.

Read more about Social Sciences at Rice

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #2 spot on the list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 14 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UTSA

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNT has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UNT

#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Woman’s University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. TWU is located in Denton, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

TWU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full TWU Social Sciences Report

#5

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Arizona. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Arizona

#12 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. OSU is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 7 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full OSU Social Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048.

Full ASU - Tempe Social Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas A&M College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M College Station Social Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 45 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Read more about Social Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

#8 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UT Dallas

#11

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas Tech University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech University Social Sciences Report

#12

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas State University Social Sciences Report

#13

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689.

Full University of Houston Social Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, NMSU Main Campus has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NAU is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, NAU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Full Northern Arizona University Social Sciences Report

#16

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNM is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 26 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNM are $19,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UNM

#11 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#18

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#17 in overall quality

University of Dallas came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UD is located in Irving, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $33,750.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Dallas

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Southern Methodist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Methodist University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SMU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SMU are $47,478, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at SMU

#20

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baylor is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 11 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Baylor University

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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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