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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences in Virginia (With Aid)

22 Ranked Colleges
7,674 Degrees Awarded
$21,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 205,984 social sciences students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,262 and had an average of $23,306 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 7,674 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,951 and $23,273 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 22 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia social sciences students with aid.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences in Virginia (With Aid)

1
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 995 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $22,006 for virginia social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

2
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 766 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Virginia Tech

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Virginia Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Annandale, Virginia, and it awarded 524 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, Northern Virginia Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $9,452 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

Full Northern Virginia Community College Social Sciences Report

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 440 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $19,593 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend William & Mary.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at William & Mary

5
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Military Institute. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. VMI is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

VMI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $22,025 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend VMI.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at VMI

6

Thomas Nelson Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. TNCC is a medium-sized school located in Hampton, Virginia that handed out 247 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

TNCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend TNCC is $6,439 for virginia social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Thomas Nelson Community College

7
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 416 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, JMU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $22,562 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at James Madison University

8
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this large public school awarded 413 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

Old Dominion also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion University is $17,204 for virginia social sciences students with aid.

Full Old Dominion Social Sciences Report

9
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, George Mason University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school handed out 788 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $19,551 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend George Mason University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full George Mason University Social Sciences Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Washington and Lee University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Washington and Lee University is a small school located in Lexington, Virginia that handed out 138 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, Washington and Lee has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $26,175 for virginia social sciences students with aid per year to attend Washington and Lee University.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Washington and Lee Social Sciences Report

11

Tidewater Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and it awarded 354 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Tidewater Community College also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Tidewater Community College is $7,312 for virginia social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Tidewater Community College

12
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, Radford has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $16,505 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Radford University.

Full Radford University Social Sciences Report

13

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. VCU is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 401 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VCU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $20,490 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend VCU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University

14
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. University of Richmond is a small private not-for-profit school situated in University of Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 109 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at URichmond, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $27,050 for virginia social sciences students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full University of Richmond Social Sciences Report

15
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, Regent has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $24,888 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Regent

16
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, this small public school handed out 190 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, UMW has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMW is $23,193 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UMW

17
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 166 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $25,855 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Christopher Newport University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full CNU Social Sciences Report

18
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salem, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roanoke, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $26,997 for virginia social sciences students with aid per year to attend Roanoke College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Roanoke College

19
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Randolph - Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ashland, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, Randolph - Macon has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $25,551 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Randolph - Macon.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Randolph - Macon College Social Sciences Report

20
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

University of Lynchburg did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. University of Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lynchburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Lynchburg is $23,134 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Lynchburg

21
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 333 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $29,382 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Liberty University.

Full Liberty University Social Sciences Report

22
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Hampden - Sydney is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. It awarded 71 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia social sciences students with aid list, Hampden - Sydney has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hampden - Sydney College is $30,746 for Virginia Social Sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Hampden - Sydney

Notes and References

References

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