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2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
$10,977 Avg Student Debt
$41,109 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Badge [General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for general social sciences students.

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2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Social Sciences Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Virginia Western Community College the best value for a degree in general social sciences in Virginia. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,128 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $19,220. That is a strong return on a $9,128 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,500. General Social Sciences graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $18,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Southwest Virginia Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Social Sciences graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $17,714. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.

5

Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $25,478. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Northern Virginia Community College earned the #6 position for value in general social sciences this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Tidewater Community College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. 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. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

View All General Social Sciences Rankings >

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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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