2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Swarthmore College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,500. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $68,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values for social sciences. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,600. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. 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 $28,828. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $39,492. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Lycoming College landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,804 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $40,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,037. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,824. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. 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 $35,830. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. 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 $36,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Pa landed the #14 spot for social sciences value 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. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of $41,105 early in their careers. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westminster College Pa admits about 93% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,390. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,166. Set against $27,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
La Salle University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,195 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Allegheny College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,183. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Keystone College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Plume. In-state tuition and fees average $18,300. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Keystone College generally make around $35,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Haverford College earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Cedar Crest College landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College earned the #24 position for value in social sciences this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
