2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general social sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 31 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 Southeast 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
Leading the list is Virginia Western Community College, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $19,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,808. Students borrow a median of $18,402 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for general social sciences. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $33,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $22,916. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $37,501 early in their careers. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,095 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,427. That is a strong return on a $24,095 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $43,988. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $23,637. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #11 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $25,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
University Of Central Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,800. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $34,209. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Peay State University landed the #14 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in general social sciences this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,499. General Social Sciences graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $38,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
East Georgia State College placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the town of Swainsboro, East Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,900, compared with $9,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,760. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from East Georgia State College generally make around $54,784. That is a strong return on a $15,760 median debt.
University Of West Georgia placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $46,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Tidewater Community College placed #18 among the best values for general social sciences. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $29,425. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Vanderbilt University came in at #19 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,000. General Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $45,300. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Allen University placed #21 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,304. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $38,198. General Social Sciences graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Allen University admits about 72% of applicants.
Bluefield State College earned the #22 position for value in general social sciences this year. Bluefield State College is a small public school located in the town of Bluefield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,648, compared with $18,376 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,791 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Bluefield State College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,791 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,730, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $37,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $32,682. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
North Carolina Central University placed #24 among the best values for general social sciences. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $34,562 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $35,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general social sciences this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
