by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 53 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Westmoreland County Community College, our #1 best value for social sciences in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,500. Social Sciences graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Waynesburg University one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $55,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waynesburg University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $40,923 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,673 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,708. Set against $27,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,128 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $58,264. Set against $26,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,810. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $35,432. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,887 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,698. Set against $30,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Lycoming College came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,804. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lycoming College generally make around $40,646. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,933. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,085. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,904, with out-of-state students paying around $18,870. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,128.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,500. Social Sciences graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,037 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $30,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Albright College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Albright College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,082. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Albright College earn a median of $24,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Westminster College Pa earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,528. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Westminster College Pa generally make around $41,105. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westminster College Pa admits about 93% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,619. Social Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,619 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Swarthmore College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,500. Social Sciences graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $67,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $37,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Allegheny College placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,550. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Social Sciences graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $44,133 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $25,532 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earn a median of $39,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Haverford College came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. The acceptance rate is 12%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.