2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 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 the United States
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
Our analysis ranked California State University San Bernardino the best value for a degree in general social sciences in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,149. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,446. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $39,149. That is a strong return on a $15,446 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #3. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #5. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,194 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,061. Set against $16,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,719 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $33,235. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,095 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of West Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,916 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $37,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Washington University earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $56,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $35,093. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,780 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $17,714. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #13 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,572. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #14 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $45,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for value in general social sciences this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $34,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College earned the #16 position for value in general social sciences this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. 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.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $38,850. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $38,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Austin Peay State University placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #20 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, with out-of-state students paying around $20,544. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $34,388. That is a strong return on a $19,889 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #21 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $20,559 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $57,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #22 among the best values for general social sciences. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $34,678 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #23 among the best values for general social sciences. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,338 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,871. That is a strong return on a $16,338 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #24 position for value in general social sciences this year. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,458. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $63,014. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #25 for value in general social sciences this year. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,313 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general social sciences this year:
Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All General Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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.
