by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for general social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Texas College tops our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,868. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Northern Oklahoma College, which ranked #2. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Dine College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,410. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $20,227.
Cochise College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #6 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $20,429 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $45,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Central Texas College came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Rose State College earned the #8 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $13,451. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Albert State College earned the #9 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,583 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $33,109. That is a strong return on a $10,583 median debt.
Arizona State University placed #10 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,679. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Rogers State University came in at #12 for value in general social sciences this year. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,573 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,955. Set against $23,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Texas A And M University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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.