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.
College Factual analyzed 160 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for social sciences in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
West Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,308. Social Sciences graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #5 place for social sciences. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yuba College landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,729. Social Sciences graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,306. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Modesto Junior College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,223. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,692. 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.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Pasadena City College came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,191. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
Explore the best-value social sciences schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.