2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general social sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Essex County College tops our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,851 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $22,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trinity Washington University earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $31,194. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $10,848. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. That is a strong return on a $10,848 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Suny Empire State College placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #7 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Peters College placed #8 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Wilmington University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercy College earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $36,726. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rockland Community College placed #11 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,799. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Towson University landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,000. General Social Sciences graduates of Towson University earn a median of $37,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #14 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $43,047. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,600. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #16 position for value in general social sciences this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #17 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $28,844. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #19 spot for general social sciences value this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,599 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Saint Mary College landed the #20 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,450. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Mount Saint Mary College earn a median of $65,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Touro College earned the #22 position for value in general social sciences this year. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $20,052 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,937 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Touro College earn a median of $40,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.
Adelphi University came in at #23 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Students borrow a median of $26,593 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Set against $26,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
Bard College landed the #24 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,436. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Bard College generally make around $23,302. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bard College admits about 52% of applicants.
New York University placed #25 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,016. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
Narrow General Social Sciences Schools by State
More General Social Sciences Rankings
View All General Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
