2026 Best Value Social Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Social Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/social-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for social psychology students.
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2026 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
Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for social psychology in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $23,420. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social psychology schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Nevada Reno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $19,918. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $69,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social psychology will find it at Northwest Missouri State University, which ranked #5. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $25,540. Social Psychology graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $35,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #6 for value in social psychology this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Park University placed #7 among the best values for social psychology. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social psychology program here. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Park University generally make around $40,313. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #8 for value in social psychology this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $26,236. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Swarthmore College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $19,500. Social Psychology graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social psychology schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #11 for value in social psychology this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the social psychology program here. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social psychology schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,199 to complete the social psychology program here. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Tiffin University came in at #13 for value in social psychology this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Rochester landed the #14 spot for social psychology value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $39,732. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
New York University earned the #15 position for value in social psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $21,499. 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.
George Washington University earned the #16 position for value in social psychology this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $25,220 to complete the social psychology program here. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $37,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
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), 2026 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
