2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general social sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Virginia Western Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general social sciences schools in the Southeast Region. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $19,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Blue Ridge Community And Technical College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,808. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $18,402. General Social Sciences graduates of Blue Ridge Community And Technical College earn a median of $41,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,916 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $37,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $33,235. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,095. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,010. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $43,988. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. 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.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #11 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $25,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #12 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $5,500. General Social Sciences graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,800. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,209. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,530 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Georgia State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Swainsboro, East Georgia State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,900, with out-of-state students paying around $9,860. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,760. General Social Sciences graduates of East Georgia State College earn a median of $54,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,760 median debt.
Western Kentucky University came in at #16 for value in general social sciences this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Tidewater Community College placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,000. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $29,425. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vanderbilt University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $61,389. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #19 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Allen University came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,304. Students borrow a median of $38,198 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Allen University generally make around $23,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Allen University admits about 72% of applicants.
Bluefield State College landed the #21 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,648, while out-of-state students pay about $18,376. Students borrow a median of $24,791 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Bluefield State College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
North Carolina Central University landed the #23 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Students borrow a median of $34,562 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $35,978. That is a strong return on a $34,562 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,125 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $36,547. Set against $28,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Grambling State University landed the #25 spot for general social sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $40,941. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $34,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general social sciences:
Narrow General Social Sciences Schools by State
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
