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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k)

170 Ranked Colleges
3,621 Degrees Awarded
$45,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,621 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 170 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great social sciences programs and 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Yale is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Yale, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Yale Social Sciences Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 70 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Harvard

#3

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 43 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Duke

#4

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 52 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Princeton, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Princeton

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 170 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #5 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 48 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford University Social Sciences Report

#6

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 47 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northwestern

#7

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#20 in overall quality

Rice University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Rice University Social Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 75 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Columbia has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Full Columbia Social Sciences Report

#9

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#17 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Vanderbilt

#10

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#9 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Johns Hopkins

#11

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 71 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Full University of Chicago Social Sciences Report

#12

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Washington University in St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Washington University in St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Washington University in St Louis

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cornell is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 35 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Full Cornell Social Sciences Report

#14

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 53 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Full UPenn Social Sciences Report

#15

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #16 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#16

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#14 in overall quality

Brown University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. Brown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363.

Read more about Social Sciences at Brown University

#17

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Florida Social Sciences Report

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Notre Dame Social Sciences Report

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Social Sciences Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 35 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UW Seattle

#21

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 17 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#22

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 38 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#23

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#25 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 69 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCLA has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UCLA

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 44 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#25

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at William & Mary

Rest of the Best 26 in Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $48-$75k

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California

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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