[Other Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/other-social-sciences/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for other social sciences students.
Finding the Best Value Other Social Sciences School for You
The other social sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in other social sciences, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $17,101. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $61,109. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $19,307 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $30,584. That is a strong return on a $19,307 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other social sciences will find it at University Of Maine At Presque Isle, which ranked #5. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,434 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Suny Empire State College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Rose State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Rose State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $31,127. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Riverside placed #8 among the best values for other social sciences. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $17,833. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $39,934 early in their careers. Set against $17,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #9 position for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $32,860. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $24,825. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $35,418. Set against $24,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Columbus State University landed the #12 spot for other social sciences value this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,493 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $45,943. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Georgia Southern University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wilmington University placed #14 among the best values for other social sciences. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Other Social Sciences graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Puerto Rico Humacao landed the #15 spot for other social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Humacao, University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $5,500. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $15,255. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #16 spot for other social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $28,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University placed #17 among the best values for other social sciences. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $36,279. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #18 for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Other Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $45,509 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $31,000. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $45,140. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #20 position for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $45,448. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University placed #21 among the best values for other social sciences. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Capella University earn a median of $53,838 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Oregon University landed the #22 spot for other social sciences value this year. Located in the town of La Grande, Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,184, compared with $24,729 for out-of-state students. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Other Social Sciences graduates of Eastern Oregon University earn a median of $42,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Kalamazoo College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. Students borrow a median of $24,821 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $28,442. Set against $24,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $53,435. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $42,844. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in other social sciences:
The ranking above is published 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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).
[Other Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/other-social-sciences/) 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.
