2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for social sciences in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,020. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,399 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Berea College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,801. Social Sciences graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Virginia Community College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,500. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 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 Florida State University, which ranked #5. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,252 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,849. That is a strong return on a $20,252 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,213 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $36,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,213 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,319. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,994 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $35,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,994 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Murray State University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,000. Social Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American Public University System ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,057. Set against $20,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,849 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,452. Set against $19,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Virginia Western Community College placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,128 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $19,220. That is a strong return on a $9,128 median debt.
University Of North Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $17,309 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,265. Set against $17,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $21,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,329 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,349. Set against $16,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,595. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,127. Set against $23,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Concord University came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,000. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,214 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $36,250. That is a strong return on a $20,214 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Fairmont State University landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $25,447 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Tidewater Community College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Tifton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,368 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.
Mississippi Delta Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,819. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $42,854. Set against $13,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
Narrow Social Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 377 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 138 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
