2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Utah
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Utah
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
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Salt Lake Community College this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,857. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot 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.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,886. Social Sciences graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $43,266 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,051 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $54,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $18,796 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,665. That is a strong return on a $18,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,708. Social Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $53,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,708 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,666. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $42,266. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
