2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Arizona
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Arizona
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 Pima Community College, our #1 best value for social sciences in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Cochise College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona Western College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,895.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dine College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $20,227.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,441 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,217. That is a strong return on a $21,441 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,594 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,082. Set against $21,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,104 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,048. That is a strong return on a $22,104 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,901. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $46,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
