2027 Best Value Social Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Social Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/social-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Psychology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Psychology Schools
University Of California San Diego tops our 2027 list of the best value social psychology schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the social psychology program here. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $23,420. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for social psychology. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the social psychology program here. Social Psychology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $29,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for social psychology. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social psychology will find it at University Of Nevada Reno, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $69,459. Set against $19,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northwest Missouri State University one of the best values for social psychology. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $25,540. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $35,556. Set against $25,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Harvard University earned the #6 position for value in social psychology this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $16,616. Social Psychology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #7 spot for social psychology value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Social Psychology graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $33,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington landed the #8 spot for social psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington generally make around $34,375. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social psychology schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Park University placed #10 among the best values for social psychology. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social psychology program here. Social Psychology graduates of Park University earn a median of $40,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #11 position for value in social psychology this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $67,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #12 among the best values for social psychology. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $23,199. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Rochester placed #13 among the best values for social psychology. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $39,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Tiffin University landed the #14 spot for social psychology value this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,977 to complete the social psychology program here. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $51,326. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
George Washington University came in at #15 for value in social psychology this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $25,220. Social Psychology graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $37,906 early in their careers. Set against $25,220 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
New York University landed the #16 spot for social psychology value this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,499 in student loans. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $37,512. Set against $21,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Other Social Psychology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Social Psychology rankings across degree levels:
View All Social Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.