2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in West Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked Fairmont State University the best value for a degree in social sciences in West Virginia. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,233. Social Sciences graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Set against $24,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $20,935 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concord University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,000 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,214 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $36,250. That is a strong return on a $20,214 median debt. Concord University admits about 93% of applicants.
Shepherd University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,030. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $33,190. Set against $20,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Virginia University landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,532 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,849. That is a strong return on a $23,532 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Davis And Elkins College landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $71,201. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Davis And Elkins College admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Charleston placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,646 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
