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2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
$26,465 Avg Student Debt
$65,399 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Master's Degree Badge [General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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

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 Austin Peay State University the best value for a degree in general social sciences in the United States. 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $53,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

3

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,824. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $45,300. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

4
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

5

Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Troy University, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $28,125. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $36,547. That is a strong return on a $28,125 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

6
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $34,734 median debt.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

9

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $52,274. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

10

Grambling State University earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $40,941. General Social Sciences graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $34,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $40,941 median debt. Grambling State University admits about 45% of applicants.

11

University Of Southern California landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,625. 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. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

12
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College landed the #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

13

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $47,000. General Social Sciences graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $47,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

Other General Social Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general social sciences schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Social Sciences
Associate's Degrees in General Social Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in General Social Sciences

View All General Social Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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