2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
[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 58 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Williams College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Massachusetts. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,034 to complete the social sciences program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the best values for social sciences. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $10,715 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $85,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Students borrow a median of $11,008 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roxbury Community College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,941. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Students borrow a median of $16,662 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $86,897. That is a strong return on a $16,662 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Worcester State University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,975. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Massasoit Community College earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,825. Social Sciences graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. Set against $8,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Framingham State University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $36,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,940 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, 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. Set against $26,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,924. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $41,358 early in their careers. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,169. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $47,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,169 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,424. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $47,070. That is a strong return on a $25,424 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Salem State University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,362. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $35,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Wellesley College earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,727 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $71,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,099 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,714. That is a strong return on a $25,099 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Westfield State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,911. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,840. That is a strong return on a $24,911 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,631. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.
Lasell College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $88,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Smith College placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Smith College earn a median of $55,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,156 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Simmons College earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,330 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $39,657. Set against $25,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Clark University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $34,831. That is a strong return on a $26,013 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Assumption College landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,356 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Assumption College generally make around $46,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $36,649. Set against $20,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
More Social Sciences Rankings
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
