2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Williams College the best value for a degree in social sciences in the New England Region. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,034. Social Sciences graduates of Williams College earn a median of $79,134 early in their careers. Set against $12,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,715. Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $85,109 early in their careers. Set against $10,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Massachusetts Bay Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #4. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,662. Social Sciences graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $86,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,662 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Roxbury Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $37,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,665 median debt.
Massasoit Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $41,263. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,304. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $30,508. That is a strong return on a $21,304 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Charter Oak State College placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,434. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,792 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $34,475 early in their careers. Set against $23,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,818 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $36,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,940. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Bowdoin College landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,555. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $68,479. Set against $19,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Unity College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
Bridgewater State University earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $40,778. That is a strong return on a $26,419 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,924. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,358. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,169 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $47,480. Set against $24,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $35,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Keene State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $35,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Rhode Island placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,397 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,037. That is a strong return on a $22,397 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,362. Social Sciences graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $35,756 early in their careers. Set against $29,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
Narrow Social Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 120 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
