2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Georgia
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
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Georgia. Set in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,323. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,703 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,621. Set against $22,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
East Georgia State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Swainsboro, East Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,900, with out-of-state students paying around $9,860. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,760 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of East Georgia State College earn a median of $54,784 early in their careers. Set against $15,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Savannah State University one of the best values for social sciences. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $30,524. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $28,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Gwinnett College placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,280. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Gwinnett College admits about 96% of applicants.
Valdosta State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,567 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $26,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,567 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,858 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $34,475. Social Sciences graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $29,117 early in their careers. Set against $34,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $38,400 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $35,341 early in their careers. Set against $38,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Augusta University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,822. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,860. That is a strong return on a $21,822 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Albany State University came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,158. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Albany State University generally make around $47,466. That is a strong return on a $28,158 median debt.
Georgia State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,981 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $38,921. Set against $26,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Students borrow a median of $26,050 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,591 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $31,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,942. Social Sciences graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $35,665 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,965. Social Sciences graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $34,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,965 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Berry College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,486. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Berry College generally make around $50,785. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Oglethorpe University landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,590. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Oglethorpe University generally make around $34,113. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $32,522 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,912. That is a strong return on a $32,522 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Emory University placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,277 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $51,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Agnes Scott College landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Decatur, Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,604. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Agnes Scott College generally make around $28,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Covenant College came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,040 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Covenant College earn a median of $37,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Clark Atlanta University placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,310. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Clark Atlanta University generally make around $28,554. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Morehouse College placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Atlanta, Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,893. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,911 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Morehouse College generally make around $35,327. Set against $26,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
