2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Frederick Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Maryland. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,848. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland University College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $19,941 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $56,750. Set against $19,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,179. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $55,374. That is a strong return on a $20,179 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,076 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Frostburg State University, which ranked #5. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,780 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $35,922 early in their careers. Set against $25,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,677. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,628. That is a strong return on a $28,677 median debt. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Towson University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $19,422 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,090. Set against $19,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Salisbury University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $31,709. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,395. Social Sciences graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $81,818 early in their careers. Set against $12,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,681. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $56,837. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,430. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $47,752. Set against $22,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,980 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Bowie State University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $30,835. Social Sciences graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $38,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,221. Social Sciences graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $37,728 early in their careers. Set against $25,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Goucher College placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $53,350. Students borrow a median of $24,426 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Goucher College generally make around $44,451. That is a strong return on a $24,426 median debt. Goucher College admits about 78% of applicants.
Mount St Marys University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $34,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Washington College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Chestertown, Washington College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,081. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,260. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Baltimore earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,150 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore generally make around $44,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.