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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

20 Ranked Colleges
320 Degrees Awarded
$26,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 205,726 social sciences students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 320 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,970 and $95,025 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

The social sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Rice has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Rice University

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UNT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNT Social Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 Woman’s University are $14,962.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Texas Woman’s University

#5

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Arizona. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 45 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Arizona Social Sciences Report

#12 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 7 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 OSU are $23,963.

Full OSU Social Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Social Sciences Report

#8

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas State University Social Sciences Report

#8 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. UT Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 20 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UT Dallas

#3 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 45 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas A&M College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 University - College Station are $22,743.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Social Sciences Report

#12

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Houston

#13

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas Tech is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 Tech University are $17,530.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Texas Tech

#18 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NMSU Main Campus, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NMSU Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 NAU are $19,489.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northern Arizona University

#16

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#17 in overall quality

University of Dallas ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UD is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Irving, Texas. It awarded 1 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UD also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 UD are $33,750.

Full University of Dallas Social Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 University of Oklahoma are $23,236.

Full University of Oklahoma Social Sciences Report

#18

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#17 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNM has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 UNM are $19,890.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

Southern Methodist University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SMU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Dallas, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Methodist University are $47,478, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SMU Social Sciences Report

#20

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baylor, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Baylor 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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