2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.
With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 36,473 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,224 and $23,992 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 585 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree social sciences students.
Top 27 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Southeast Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 25 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
USF Tampa also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Clemson University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Clemson, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.
Clemson also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson are $23,246, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Alabama at Birmingham. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. UAB is a public institution located in Birmingham, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UAB are $19,188, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 36 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree social sciences students list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Georgia. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 22 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UGA also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.
Read more about Social Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Arkansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #7. UARK is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Southern Mississippi came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this fairly large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Mississippi are $10,896.
Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Southern Mississippi
University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
UNC Charlotte also took the #24 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte are $21,055, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Social Sciences Report
University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #10. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 30 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of New Orleans came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UNO is a medium-sized public school situated in New Orleans, Louisiana. It awarded 2 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNO are $13,678.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #12, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi State University are $23,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #13. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Florida State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Florida State University
Florida International University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.
FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Louisville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. UofL is a public institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Louisville are $27,575, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Louisville
North Carolina State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #17, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.
UofSC also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.
West Virginia University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. WVU is a large school located in Morgantown, West Virginia that handed out 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at WVU are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 30 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Georgia Tech is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Georgia Tech also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus are $31,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #21, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
UCF also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #25. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657.
Read more about Social Sciences at University of Central Florida
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.
UT Knoxville also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #23, University of Mississippi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. University, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Mississippi are $25,099.
Georgia State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Georgia State is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 18 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State University are $24,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #25, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University
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Best Social Sciences Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students in the Southeast Region
Most Focused Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students in the Southeast Region
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Online Social Sciences Schools
Social Sciences students in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students with family income $48-$75k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income Over $110k) in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students with family income exceeding $110k in the Southeast Region
Highest Paid Doctor's Degree Social Sciences Graduates in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students in the Southeast Region
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Southeast Region (With Aid)
Social Sciences students getting aid in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students with family income $30-$48k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students with family income $75-$110k in the Southeast Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Southeast Region
Social Sciences students in the Southeast Region
Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to AndrГ© KГјnzelmann.
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