2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,319 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,796. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,496. Set against $25,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,512. Social Sciences graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $27,419 early in their careers. Set against $23,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,291 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $31,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at North Carolina A And T State University, which ranked #5. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,094 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $39,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,365 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $33,544 early in their careers. Set against $30,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,086. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $32,214. That is a strong return on a $26,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $24,544. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Davidson College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $62,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Appalachian State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,739. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $28,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $37,721. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Winston Salem State University earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $25,940 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,863 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $34,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $32,390. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $33,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,503. Social Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $28,279 early in their careers. Set against $23,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,556. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $53,836. That is a strong return on a $25,556 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Johnson C Smith University came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,300. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $32,047. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,751. That is a strong return on a $32,047 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Peace College placed #18 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,176. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Peace College generally make around $41,509. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont Abbey College earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belmont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,500. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,140 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Belmont Abbey College generally make around $40,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,074 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $52,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Duke University earned the #21 position for value in social sciences this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,674 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $83,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,785. Social Sciences graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,910 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,643. Set against $19,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
