2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in South Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in South Carolina
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 South Carolina Aiken earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $29,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Carolina Upstate earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,829. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $35,798 early in their careers. Set against $28,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
A rank of #3 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,185. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,129. Set against $26,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Francis Marion University earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,756 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,588. That is a strong return on a $28,756 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Allen University one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,304 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $38,198 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,095 early in their careers. Set against $38,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Allen University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $37,500. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Winthrop University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $25,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
Lander University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Lander University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,412. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $31,243. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Wofford College landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,382. Social Sciences graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $35,903 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,382 median debt. Wofford College admits about 52% of applicants.
College Of Charleston came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,390. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $32,429. Set against $24,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Presbyterian College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $44,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Presbyterian College generally make around $34,712. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Presbyterian College admits about 68% of applicants.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,817. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,992. That is a strong return on a $20,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Coker College earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,416. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $30,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $25,862. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Coker College admits about 94% of applicants.
Clemson University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,966. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Charleston Southern University came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,955. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $23,797. That is a strong return on a $26,955 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,196. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,688. That is a strong return on a $24,196 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Furman University landed the #17 spot for social sciences value this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,303 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
