2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in New York
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in New York
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 Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for social sciences in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,340. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $33,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,857 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,838. That is a strong return on a $11,857 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,274 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,212 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,319. Set against $13,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,841 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $12,415 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,919. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $39,021 early in their careers. Set against $14,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny York College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $41,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Farmingdale State College came in at #12 for value in social sciences 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. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,528 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $22,549 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $35,965 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,693. 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.
Erie Community College came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,726. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rockland Community College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Canton. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $46,515. That is a strong return on a $23,640 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #19 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,665. Social Sciences graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,665 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny College At Potsdam came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $36,500. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Niagara University came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,696. That is a strong return on a $20,017 median debt. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Stony Brook University landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,364 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $39,241. That is a strong return on a $20,364 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,284 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,345. Set against $26,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,013 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,180. Set against $25,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
More Social Sciences Rankings
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 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.
