2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis the best value for a degree in social sciences in Indiana. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $39,018 early in their careers. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,119. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $27,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $47,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,255. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,948 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,588 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $42,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,435 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $40,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Social Sciences graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $32,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Wabash College came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,800. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,423. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Depauw University earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Students borrow a median of $26,987 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Depauw University generally make around $60,769. That is a strong return on a $26,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Notre Dame placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $67,038. That is a strong return on a $19,617 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Butler University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,240. Students borrow a median of $28,366 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College generally make around $48,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Mary Of The Woods College admits about 72% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
