College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

22 Ranked Colleges
7,674 Degrees Awarded
$13,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Virginia, there were 7,674 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,951 and $23,273 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social sciences programs and cost less that 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

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Social Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

1
Washington and Lee crest
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington and Lee University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Washington and Lee is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 138 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Washington and Lee also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee University is $205 for virginia 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 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.

Full Washington and Lee University Social Sciences Report

2
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 440 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $5,972 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

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 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at William & Mary

3
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school awarded 995 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $12,476 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

4
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 766 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Virginia 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 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Social Sciences Report

5
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Richmond landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in University of Richmond, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 109 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

URichmond not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $8,010 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend URichmond.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Richmond Social Sciences Report

6
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. VMI is a public institution located in Lexington, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 104 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, VMI has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Military Institute is $10,556 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Virginia Military Institute

7

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Annandale, Virginia, and it awarded 524 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Virginia Community College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northern Virginia Community College

8
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 416 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $14,288 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Social Sciences at James Madison University

9
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 413 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Old Dominion has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion is $13,335 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Old Dominion

10
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 788 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, GMU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,781 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GMU.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full George Mason University Social Sciences Report

11

Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. TNCC is a public institution located in Hampton, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 247 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

TNCC also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend TNCC is $4,608 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Thomas Nelson Community College

12
Tidewater Community College crest
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, Virginia

Tidewater Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tidewater Community College is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 354 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Tidewater Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $5,652 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tidewater Community College.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Tidewater Community College

13
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMW is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 190 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UMW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary Washington is $14,589 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UMW

14

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 401 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

VCU also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for VCU is $14,507 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University

15
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Christopher Newport University is a small public school situated in Newport News, Virginia. It awarded 166 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

CNU also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $15,862 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Christopher Newport University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Christopher Newport University

16
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Radford is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Radford, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Radford is $11,420 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Radford University

17
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.

Roanoke also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $20,495 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Roanoke.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Roanoke College Social Sciences Report

18
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Regent is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 48 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Regent did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Regent is $20,479 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Regent University

19
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

University of Lynchburg came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

Lynchburg also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Lynchburg is $17,706 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Lynchburg

20
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Randolph - Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Virginia. It awarded 52 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Randolph - Macon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph - Macon College is $20,454 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 full report on Social Sciences at Randolph - Macon

21
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 71 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Hampden - Sydney has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hampden - Sydney College is $25,847 for virginia social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Hampden - Sydney College

22
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 333 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Liberty University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $29,786 for Virginia Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Liberty University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options