2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Alabama
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
University Of North Alabama tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $24,415 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $35,263 early in their careers. Set against $24,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Troy University one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,331 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Troy University earn a median of $52,810 early in their careers. Set against $32,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Alabama State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Alabama State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $33,709. Social Sciences graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $37,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Alabama A And M University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $45,909. That is a strong return on a $31,896 median debt. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Jacksonville State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $45,361 early in their careers. Set against $24,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Alabama came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Montevallo came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Students borrow a median of $25,096 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Montevallo generally make around $36,673. That is a strong return on a $25,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,324. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $35,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,324 median debt. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,666. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,134. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $32,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
