2027 Best Value Other Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

[Other Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/other-social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for other social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools
Suny Empire State College earned the #1 spot for value among other social sciences schools in the United States. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in other social sciences will find it at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $5,673. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State University earned it the #3 place for other social sciences. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $28,493. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $45,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Southern University earned it the #4 place for other social sciences. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Wilmington University one of the best values for other social sciences. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $57,142. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #6 among the best values for other social sciences. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $45,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for other social sciences value 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $72,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Clark University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $48,671. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Bard College landed the #9 spot for other social sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,436. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $26,402. Other Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $35,861 early in their careers. Set against $26,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Other Other Social Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other social sciences schools at other degree levels:
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Notes and References
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.