2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Essex County College, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $22,053 early in their careers. Set against $5,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Washington University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Frederick Community College, which ranked #3. Frederick Community College is a large public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,848 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $32,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Erie Community College earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Brookdale Community College landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $26,231. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Saint Peters College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College landed the #9 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,978. General Social Sciences graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $36,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rockland Community College came in at #10 for value in general social sciences this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,167. General Social Sciences graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Towson University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,934. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,263. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #13 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,500. 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 #15 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. 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. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo landed the #16 spot for general social sciences value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $21,000. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $28,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $40,584. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #18 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,599. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $50,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #19 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Saint Mary College placed #20 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Touro College placed #21 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $33,937. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $40,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Adelphi University placed #22 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Students borrow a median of $26,593 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $51,037. Set against $26,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Bard College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,436 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,747. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $23,302. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #24 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of New York University earn a median of $49,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Marymount Manhattan College came in at #25 for value in general social sciences this year. Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,594. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Marymount Manhattan College generally make around $30,533. Set against $25,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 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
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
