2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k
48
Ranked Colleges
8,215
Degrees Awarded
$14,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 205,984 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,262 and had an average of $23,306 in loans still to pay off.
Across Pennsylvania, there were 8,215 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,140 and $25,861 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 48 colleges that offered a degree 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania
Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 642 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $580 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UPenn Social Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lafayette College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 239 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Lafayette also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $11,728 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lafayette.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Sciences at Lafayette College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Swarthmore College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 98 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Swarthmore has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Swarthmore College is $4,594 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Social Sciences at Swarthmore
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Haverford College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 92 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
Haverford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Haverford College is $9,357 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Social Sciences at Haverford College
Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carnegie Mellon University landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 102 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Carnegie Mellon also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carnegie Mellon is $16,456 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Carnegie Mellon Social Sciences Report
Gettysburg College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 184 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Gettysburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gettysburg is $14,205 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Gettysburg College
Dickinson College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 158 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Dickinson also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Dickinson is $12,729 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Dickinson College Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #8, Franklin and Marshall College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Franklin and Marshall is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Franklin and Marshall also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Franklin and Marshall College is $14,017 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Social Sciences at Franklin and Marshall
Lycoming College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lycoming is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It awarded 52 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lycoming has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $13,045 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lycoming College.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Lycoming
Saint Vincent College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Saint Vincent is a small school located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania that handed out 61 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Saint Vincent also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $15,105 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Vincent.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Vincent Social Sciences Report
Muhlenberg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It awarded 59 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Muhlenberg, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Muhlenberg College is $18,000 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Muhlenberg College
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. SRU is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 117 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
SRU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SRU is $14,091 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Bucknell University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 282 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bucknell, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,722 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bucknell University.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Bucknell Social Sciences Report
With a ranking of #14, Villanova University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 325 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Villanova did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova is $24,907 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Villanova University
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 680 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $15,084 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pitt.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Social Sciences at Pitt
Temple University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Temple is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 394 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Temple has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $18,173 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Temple Social Sciences Report
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is $12,547 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Allegheny College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Allegheny College is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Allegheny also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Allegheny College is $17,681 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Allegheny College Social Sciences Report
Harrisburg Area Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Harrisburg Area Community College is $9,741 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full HACC Social Sciences Report
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 343 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, IUP has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $19,397 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Sciences at IUP
With a ranking of #21, Cabrini University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cabrini University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Radnor, Pennsylvania. It awarded 42 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Cabrini University also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Cabrini University is $16,581 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Cabrini University
California University of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in California, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 105 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California University of Pennsylvania is $15,854 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Social Sciences at California University of Pennsylvania
Albright College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Reading, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 56 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Albright is $15,448 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Social Sciences at Albright College
With a ranking of #24, Washington & Jefferson College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.
W&J not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $20,962 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington & Jefferson College.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Washington & Jefferson College
West Chester University of Pennsylvania came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCUPA is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 93 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,718 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCUPA.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full WCUPA Social Sciences Report
