by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 169 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of The Ozarks earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $16,106 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $36,810. Set against $16,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,087. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,175. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,926 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $45,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, with out-of-state students paying around $17,692. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $32,831. Social Sciences graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $37,449 early in their careers. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $21,939 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Grinnell College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,426. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,311. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,193. Set against $25,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,844 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $32,785. That is a strong return on a $24,844 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Social Sciences graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $31,644 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $48,731 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,644 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Park University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Park University generally make around $58,786. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,573. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $48,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $22,734 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,991. Set against $22,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,744. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Bemidji State University earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,753. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,748. Set against $25,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,980 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,980 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,951. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,430. Set against $20,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,410. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $38,878 early in their careers. Set against $24,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #23 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $41,345 early in their careers. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Butler Community College placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas State University placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,473 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $36,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
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 · 169 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
