2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes J Sargeant Reynolds Community College one of the best values for social sciences. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $18,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $19,220. That is a strong return on a $9,128 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Tidewater Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Thomas Nelson Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $25,478. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,714. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,248. Social Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $34,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,248 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
George Mason University earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,282 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $57,936. Set against $22,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Norfolk State University landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $54,971. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Radford University placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,063. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $34,919. Set against $25,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Virginia State University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,638. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,620. Set against $28,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,187. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,041. Social Sciences graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $32,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Virginia Military Institute earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Students borrow a median of $22,900 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $45,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,900 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater College landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,423. Social Sciences graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater College admits about 92% of applicants.
Lynchburg College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,750. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $107,159. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
Regent University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,451. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $64,493. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,525. Social Sciences graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $51,051 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $36,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Virginia Wesleyan College placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Students borrow a median of $27,925 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,925 median debt. Virginia Wesleyan College admits about 73% of applicants.
Longwood University landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Union University earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,830. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,450 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,291. Set against $31,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Christopher Newport University came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,669 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,797. Set against $23,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
College Of William And Mary landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,814. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $50,989. Set against $18,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $63,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 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. 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
