[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1707 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. 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. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for social sciences. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,212 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,857. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,013. Set against $11,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,274. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. 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, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,083. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,675. That is a strong return on a $12,083 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,701 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,176. That is a strong return on a $13,701 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,172. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $36,498 early in their careers. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $35,993. That is a strong return on a $12,415 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,841 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,491. Set against $9,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,106 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,160. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,336. Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $29,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #15 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,399 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,881. That is a strong return on a $16,399 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Berea College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Cuny York College earned the #17 position 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. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $41,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $32,912. Set against $14,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,422 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,554. Set against $14,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Princeton University landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. 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. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $87,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,919 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $39,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,919 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,454. Set against $14,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,077. Social Sciences graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,077 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $37,783. That is a strong return on a $17,765 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
The ranking above is published 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 609 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
