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2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

139 Ranked Colleges
36,271 Degrees Awarded
$7,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

With 205,984 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. 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 the Southeast region, there were 36,271 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,349 and $24,511 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 139 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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.

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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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

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

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 530 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke is $-927 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Duke

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 139 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 705 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $4,652 for southeast region 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 96%. 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.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Vanderbilt

3
Washington and Lee crest
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 139 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington and Lee University landed the #3 spot on the list. Washington and Lee University is a small school located in Lexington, Virginia that handed out 138 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Washington and Lee, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $850 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washington and Lee University.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Washington and Lee University

4
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 1,318 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $2,857 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Florida

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 1,022 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,729 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #6, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 289 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,612 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wake Forest University

7
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. 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 made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $7,507 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full William & Mary Social Sciences Report

8
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #8, Emory University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 458 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $8,976 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Emory Social Sciences Report

9
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,691 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,349 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Florida State

10

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,272 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $5,632 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at USF Tampa

11
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 995 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $10,063 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, 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%.

Full University of Virginia Social Sciences Report

12

Florida International University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 931 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $4,882 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full FIU Social Sciences Report

13
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 109 students in 2020-2021.

URichmond not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $8,606 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%. 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.

Full University of Richmond Social Sciences Report

14
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 806 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $10,688 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Social Sciences at UGA

15

University of Central Florida came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 701 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $6,256 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCF Social Sciences Report

16
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Military Institute ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia Military Institute is a public institution located in Lexington, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 104 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,429 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend VMI.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at VMI

17
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 766 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,003 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Virginia Tech

18

With a ranking of #18, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Pensacola, Florida, and it awarded 133 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,827 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of West Florida.

Full UWF Social Sciences Report

19
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 190 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,074 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Florida.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Florida Social Sciences Report

20
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Florida Atlantic University is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 452 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,262 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida Atlantic University Social Sciences Report

21

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 132 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,712 for Southeast Region Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Georgia Tech.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at Georgia Tech

22
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #22, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 448 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NC State is $9,448 for southeast region 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 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 North Carolina State University

23

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Virginia Community College is a large school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 524 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $8,407 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northern Virginia Community College

24

With a ranking of #24, Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a small public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 60 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The Citadel also claimed a top spot on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $12,364 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Citadel Military College of South Carolina Social Sciences Report

25

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 434 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $13,970 for southeast region social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.

Full UT Knoxville Social Sciences Report

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