[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 767 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,250. Social Sciences graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $88,074 early in their careers. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for social sciences. 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,757. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,237. Set against $12,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,152. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, 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 $35,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,857 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $43,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. 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. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $33,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,083. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $27,984. Set against $15,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,172. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,844. That is a strong return on a $16,172 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $9,841 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $39,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,841 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,701. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $33,838 early in their careers. Set against $13,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,399 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $30,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,399 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #13 among the best values for social sciences. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,415. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $36,755. Set against $12,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,919 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $39,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Northridge placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,292 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,400. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,106. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $32,959. Set against $14,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Berea College landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $32,972. Set against $12,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,422 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,422 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University East Bay earned the #23 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,197. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,022. Set against $19,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,685 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,714. That is a strong return on a $17,685 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,876. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $25,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,876 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 767 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 767 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
