2026 Best Value Social Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
[Social Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/social-psychology/) 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 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 Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for social psychology in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for social psychology graduates is $11,091. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social psychology will find it at University Of Nevada Reno, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $69,459. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the social psychology program here. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the social psychology program here. Social Psychology graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Connecticut one of the best values for social psychology. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social psychology schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
New York University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social psychology schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social psychology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $48,960. That is a strong return on a $21,499 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College placed #8 among the best values for social psychology. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Social Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $66,132. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #9 for value in social psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Early-career social psychology graduates make about $54,852.
Other Social Psychology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value social psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All Social Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
