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

18 Ranked Colleges
320 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Southwest 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 Southwest region, there were 14,301 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,155 and $22,401 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 320 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,970 and $95,025 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social sciences programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Southwest Region

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UNT also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of North Texas

#2

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. Texas State University is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas State

#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Woman’s University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TWU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full TWU Social Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #4 spot on the list. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UT Austin also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at UT Austin

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas A&M University - College Station

#6

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas Tech University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech Social Sciences Report

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students list, UH has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UH Social Sciences Report

#8

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Read more about Social Sciences at NAU

#12 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students list, OSU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

#10 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 14 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students list, UTSA has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at UTSA

#11

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#17 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #11. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 26 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNM Social Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Oklahoma

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NMSU Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048.

Read more about Social Sciences at Arizona State University - Tempe

#8 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 20 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UT Dallas

#16

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#2 in overall quality

University of Arizona ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school handed out 45 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Arizona

#17

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#5 in overall quality

Baylor University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. Baylor University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 11 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor University are $36,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Baylor Social Sciences Report

#17

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region list. University of Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution located in Irving, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Dallas are $33,750, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UD Social Sciences Report

#18

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

Rice University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Rice

#4 in overall quality

Southern Methodist University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region ranking. SMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SMU are $47,478.

Full SMU Social Sciences Report

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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

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