2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Leading the list is College Of Southern Idaho, our #1 best value for social sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for social sciences. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $15,790 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,500. Social Sciences graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $21,413 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,857. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Students from in state pay about $4,613 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
Front Range Community College placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,354. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,401. Social Sciences graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $30,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,401 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,497. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,963.
University Of Wyoming earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $36,700. Set against $22,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,051. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $54,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $49,665. That is a strong return on a $18,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Utah University placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $43,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,708. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $53,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $37,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,679 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $29,085 early in their careers. Set against $22,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Central Wyoming College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Riverton. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,820 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $65,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,441 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $46,948 early in their careers. Set against $29,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $32,310. That is a strong return on a $27,013 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #19 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,666. Social Sciences graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,310. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,629. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $39,424. That is a strong return on a $21,629 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,730 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,422. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $26,883. Set against $18,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $30,547 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,170. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,569. Set against $23,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 34 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
