2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in South Carolina
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 South Carolina Aiken, our #1 best value for social sciences in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $29,438. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of South Carolina Upstate, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,829 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,798. Set against $28,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,185 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Lander University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,412 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Lander University earn a median of $31,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,412 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Francis Marion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,756. Social Sciences graduates of Francis Marion University earn a median of $26,521 early in their careers. Set against $28,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Allen University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Allen University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,304 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $38,198. Social Sciences graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,198 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Winthrop University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,676. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $26,982. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
College Of Charleston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,390 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $32,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Coker College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,416. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $25,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Presbyterian College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,910. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Presbyterian College generally make around $34,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #12 position 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. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $44,992. That is a strong return on a $20,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Charleston Southern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,520. Students borrow a median of $26,955 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $23,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Clemson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,646. Social Sciences graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $39,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,196 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $36,064 early in their careers. Set against $24,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Wofford College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spartanburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,005. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,382. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $36,593. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wofford College admits about 52% of applicants.
Furman University placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Social Sciences graduates of Furman University earn a median of $46,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
