by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1707 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study social sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Social Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in social sciences in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,340. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,317. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,115. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $32,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,115 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $41,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for social sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,212. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $35,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
El Camino Community College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Yuba College placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,729. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Yuba College generally make around $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,857 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $44,013. Set against $11,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
De Anza College came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,172 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,020. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Moorpark College placed #13 among the best values for social sciences. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,701. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,073. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Orange Coast College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,978. Social Sciences graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,083 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $38,498. Set against $12,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
American River College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,384. Social Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #23 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $27,691. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Cuny Queens College placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,415 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $36,033 early in their careers. Set against $12,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,841 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
The following schools rounded out the strongest social sciences values:
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in social sciences:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Social Sciences. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1707 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 633 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.