2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

For return on investment in general social sciences, no school beat University Of California Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

3

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $44,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.

4

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,854. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $53,788 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

5

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

A rank of #5 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

6

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.

7

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,531. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

8

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $19,937. General Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $56,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

9

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $28,125. General Social Sciences graduates of Troy University earn a median of $36,547 early in their careers. Set against $28,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

10

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Students borrow a median of $34,734 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $45,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences 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. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

12

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

13

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $52,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $40,941 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $34,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

15

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #15 spot for general social sciences value this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Emory University earn a median of $67,840 early in their careers. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

16

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #16 spot for general social sciences value this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $13,025. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $33,789 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

18

Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,436. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,747. General Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $23,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

19

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #19 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $47,000. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

20

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $16,483. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.