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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Maine

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,327 Avg Student Debt
$56,310 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Social Sciences Badge [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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.

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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Maine

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

1

Leading the list is University Of Maine At Presque Isle, our #1 best value for social sciences in Maine. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $41,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

2
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Bowdoin College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,555 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $69,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,555 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #3. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,818. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,312. That is a strong return on a $15,818 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Maine At Augusta one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Colby College crest
Colby College
Waterville, ME

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Colby College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Students borrow a median of $25,377 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $71,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Maine landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,592. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $37,238. That is a strong return on a $25,592 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

7
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,640. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $36,144. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.

8
Bates College crest
Bates College
Lewiston, ME

Bates College came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Bates College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,442 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $58,244. Set against $12,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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