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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

48 Ranked Colleges
8,215 Degrees Awarded
$15,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 205,984 social sciences students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. 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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 48 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.

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.

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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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. UPenn is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 642 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UPenn also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend UPenn is $1,938 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Pennsylvania

2
Haverford crest
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Haverford College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. Haverford College is a small school located in Haverford, Pennsylvania that handed out 92 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Haverford, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Haverford is $9,272 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. 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.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Haverford

3
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Swarthmore College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 98 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Swarthmore has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Swarthmore is $4,012 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 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 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Swarthmore College Social Sciences Report

4
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lafayette College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lafayette College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Easton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 239 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Lafayette also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lafayette is $12,400 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. 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.

Full Lafayette College Social Sciences Report

5
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k 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 made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Carnegie Mellon University is $13,608 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, 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. 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.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Social Sciences Report

6
Franklin and Marshall crest
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Franklin and Marshall College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Franklin and Marshall College 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Franklin and Marshall, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Franklin and Marshall is $13,110 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Franklin and Marshall College

7
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Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dickinson College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dickinson College is a small school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania that handed out 158 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Dickinson also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $12,027 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dickinson College.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Dickinson College Social Sciences Report

8
Gettysburg crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, Gettysburg College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Gettysburg College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 184 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Gettysburg has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $13,799 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gettysburg.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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.

Full Gettysburg College Social Sciences Report

9
Lycoming crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Lycoming College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 52 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Lycoming also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $12,949 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lycoming.

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 more about Social Sciences at Lycoming

10
Saint Vincent crest
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Saint Vincent College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Vincent College is located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Saint Vincent also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,606 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Vincent College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Saint Vincent College

11
Bucknell crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #11, Bucknell University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bucknell is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 282 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Bucknell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Bucknell University is $28,153 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Bucknell

12
Muhlenberg crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Muhlenberg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Muhlenberg also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Muhlenberg is $21,330 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Muhlenberg College

13
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, Villanova University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Villanova is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Villanova, Pennsylvania. It awarded 325 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova is $26,460 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Villanova University

14
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 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.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SRU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $15,507 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Social Sciences Report

15

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a small school located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania that handed out 17 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is $9,791 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

16
Allegheny crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania

Allegheny College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Meadville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 67 students in 2020-2021.

Allegheny did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Allegheny is $18,748 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Allegheny College Social Sciences Report

17
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 394 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Temple is $19,355 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Temple

18
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. HACC is a fairly large public school situated in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 70 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harrisburg Area Community College is $10,425 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Harrisburg Area Community College

19

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pitt is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 680 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pitt is $17,691 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

20
Cal U crest
California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 105 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $16,063 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full California University of Pennsylvania Social Sciences Report

21

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 $30-$48k list, IUP has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,003 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend IUP.

Read more about Social Sciences at IUP

22
Albright crest
Albright College
Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Albright College is a small school located in Reading, Pennsylvania that handed out 56 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Albright is $14,822 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Albright Social Sciences Report

23
Edinboro crest
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #23, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edinboro is a small public school situated in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It awarded 47 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Edinboro is $13,001 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

24
Bloomsburg crest
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 81 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,956 for pennsylvania social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Bloomsburg

25
Cabrini University crest
Cabrini University
Radnor, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #25, Cabrini University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Radnor, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cabrini University, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,862 for Pennsylvania Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cabrini University.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cabrini University

Notes and References

References

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