2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 170 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for social sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,250. Social Sciences graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $87,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $41,237. Set against $12,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,255. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,857 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $43,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, 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 $35,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $32,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,841 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,419. Set against $9,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $16,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,919 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $39,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,415 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $36,825. Set against $12,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,650. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,400. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,179. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $55,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Essex County College came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,851. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $22,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,528. Social Sciences graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery College placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Peters College landed the #17 spot for social sciences value this year. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Westmoreland County Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Washington University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $56,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,549 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $35,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Frederick Community College came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,848 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $32,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,848 median debt.
Suny Empire State College landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,231. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Wilmington University came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #25 spot for social sciences value this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
Narrow Social Sciences Schools by State
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 170 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 170 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.
