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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

37 Ranked Colleges
1,506 Degrees Awarded
$19,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 14,301 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,155 and $22,401 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,506 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 37 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #1 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 46 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913.

Full Rice Social Sciences Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UNT

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Social Sciences at UT Rio Grande Valley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M International University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M International University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas A&M International University

#2 in overall quality

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 224 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Texas A&M University - College Station

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Texas Woman’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. TWU is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, TWU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas Woman’s University

#7

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#15 in overall quality

Texas Tech University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Texas Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech Social Sciences Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#22 in overall quality

University of Houston - Clear Lake landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Clear Lake, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UH Clear Lake are $19,216.

Full University of Houston - Clear Lake Social Sciences Report

#10

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#6 in overall quality

University of Arizona ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 134 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Arizona

#11 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 100 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at ASU - Tempe

The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Tyler is a medium-sized school located in Tyler, Texas that handed out 2 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Tyler has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler

#12 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 67 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Dallas, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UT Dallas

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, OSU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at OSU

#15

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#14 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Houston is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UH

#4 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 125 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

#17

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Angelo State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Angelo, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Angelo State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Angelo State are $14,396, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Angelo State University

#18

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#10 in overall quality

Texas State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas State University

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

#20

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#7 in overall quality

Oklahoma City University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it awarded 13 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

OCU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at OCU are $13,410.

Read more about Social Sciences at OCU

#21

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#19 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 120 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full ASU - Skysong Social Sciences Report

#21

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#17 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NAU is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 42 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at NAU

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 32 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at NMSU Main Campus

#23

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wichita Falls, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

MSU Texas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at MSU Texas

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Commerce, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas A&M Commerce has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Texas A&M University - Commerce

#25

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#23 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Sam Houston State University

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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