2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in New York
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in New York
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
Suny Empire State College tops our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools in New York. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Social Sciences graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Mercy College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $36,726. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rockland Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $21,000. General Social Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mount Saint Mary College earned the #7 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,450. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $65,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Touro College placed #8 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $33,937. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $40,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University placed #9 among the best values for general social sciences. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,593. General Social Sciences graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $51,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Bard College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,436. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $23,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Marymount Manhattan College placed #11 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Marymount Manhattan College admits about 83% of applicants.
New York University earned the #12 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from New York University generally make around $49,016. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Dominican College Of Blauvelt placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,220 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Dominican College Of Blauvelt generally make around $28,351. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican College Of Blauvelt admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
- 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.
