2021 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences
Finding the Best Value Social Sciences School for You
With 154,751 bachelor's degrees handed out in 2018-2019, social sciences is the #3 most popular major in the United States.
This year's Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences ranking analyzed 539 colleges that offered a bachelor's degree in social sciences. To us, 'best value' doesn't just mean the school with the lowest overall costs. For this ranking, we are identifying those social sciences schools that provide their students with a hiqh quality education at a price that is lower than other colleges and universities of the same caliber.
To determine the average cost, we look at total expenses - such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other related expenses - and then subtract the average financial award a student receives. Knowing this amount can help you determine how much you may have to borrow in loans or take out of savings. Depending on your income and other factors, the cost for you to attend a particular school may be more or less.
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 ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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.
2021 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Social Sciences Colleges for the Money.
Top 25 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Brigham Young University - Provo earned the #1 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. BYU excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Social Sciences list.
The average student at BYU graduates in less than 5.2 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $12,239. This means that the average student pays around $64,132 to get a bachelor’s degree from BYU. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
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The #2 spot in this year's ranking belongs to Centre College. Centre College of Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Centre College of Kentucky also is in the top 20% of our Best Colleges for Social Sciences ranking.
It takes the average student at Centre College of Kentucky about 4.0 years to graduate, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $25,121. This means that the average student pays around $100,986 to get a bachelor’s degree from Centre College of Kentucky. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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University of South Florida - Main Campus earned the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public college with a very large student population. On top of its placing in our value rankings, USF Tampa also did well on our Best Colleges for Social Sciences list. It's in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis.
It takes about 4.3 years for the average student at USF Tampa to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $23,095. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from USF Tampa is about $99,309. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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Florida State University earned the #4 spot in our 2021 rankings. Florida State is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tallahassee. In addition to its great value ranking, Florida State is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Social Sciences list.
It takes about 4.2 years for the average student at Florida State to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $27,233. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Florida State is about $115,196. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
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Lycoming College landed the #5 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value social sciences schools. Lycoming is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Williamsport. In addition to its great value ranking, Lycoming is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Social Sciences list.
The average student at Lycoming graduates in less than 4.2 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $26,985. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Lycoming is $113,067. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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The #6 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. UW - La Crosse is a large public school located in the small city of La Crosse.
It takes about 4.5 years for the average student at UW - La Crosse to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $19,185. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from UW - La Crosse is $85,373. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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The #7 spot in this year's ranking belongs to University of Florida. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, U of F is a public college with a fairly large student population. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, U of F also is in the top 10% of our Best Colleges for Social Sciences ranking.
It takes about 4.3 years for the average student at U of F to complete their degree, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,230. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the U of F is $120,542. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
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CUNY Hunter College comes in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in the large city of New York, Hunter is a public college with a fairly large student population.
It takes about 4.6 years for the average student at Hunter to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $21,445. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Hunter be around $99,290. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
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Saint Vincent College landed the #9 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value social sciences schools. Saint Vincent is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe.
It takes the average student at Saint Vincent about 4.1 years to graduate, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $26,431. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent is $108,367. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
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Grand Valley State University earned the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
It takes about 4.5 years for the average student at GVSU to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $23,233. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from GVSU is $105,245. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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The #11 spot in this year's ranking belongs to St. Mary's University. Located in the large city of San Antonio, St. Mary's is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
At St. Mary’s, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $25,177. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s is $107,002. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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Hanover College comes in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in the distant town of Hanover, Hanover is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Hanover is 4.0 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $25,334. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Hanover is $102,349. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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The #13 spot in this year's ranking belongs to SUNY Geneseo. Located in the distant town of Geneseo, SUNY Geneseo is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at SUNY Geneseo is 4.1 years, and it costs about $25,828 per year to attend the school. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo be around $106,411. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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Our rankings recognize Cleveland State University as the #14 school in this year's rankings. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Cleveland.
The average student at Cleveland State University graduates in less than 4.6 years, and it costs about $23,655 per year to attend the school. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University is about $108,103. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earned the #15 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public school with a fairly large student population. In addition to its great value ranking, UNC Chapel Hill is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Social Sciences list.
At UNC Chapel Hill, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $26,820. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UNC Chapel Hill is $109,694. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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Wabash College earned the #16 spot in our 2021 rankings. Wabash is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Crawfordsville.
The average student at Wabash graduates in less than 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $29,099. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Wabash is $118,433. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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SUNY Oneonta comes in at #17 in this year's ranking. SUNY Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Oneonta.
The average student at SUNY Oneonta graduates in less than 4.2 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $24,162. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the SUNY Oneonta is $100,997. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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University of Minnesota - Duluth comes in at #18 in this year's ranking. UMN Duluth is a fairly large public school located in the city of Duluth.
At UMN Duluth, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.5 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $22,044. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from UMN Duluth be around $98,537. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
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University at Albany landed the #19 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Albany, UAlbany is a public school with a fairly large student population. UAlbany excels when it comes to quality. It's ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Colleges for Social Sciences list.
At UAlbany, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.2 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $30,041. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from UAlbany is about $124,971. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average student at SRU graduates in less than 4.3 years, and it costs about $21,713 per year to attend the school. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the SRU is $93,149. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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Our rankings recognize University of Wyoming as the #21 school in this year's rankings. U of Wyoming is a large public school located in the remote town of Laramie.
It takes about 4.6 years for the average student at U of Wyoming to complete their degree, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $20,323. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from U of Wyoming be around $94,299. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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Knox College comes in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in the distant town of Galesburg, Knox is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
It takes about 4.1 years for the average student at Knox to complete their degree, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,255. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Knox is $116,128. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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Appalachian State University landed the #23 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value social sciences schools. Appalachian State is a large public school located in the town of Boone.
At Appalachian State, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $22,137. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State is $95,410. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #24 spot in our 2021 rankings for best value social sciences schools. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Whitewater.
It takes the average student at UW - Whitewater about 4.5 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school is around $20,164. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from UW - Whitewater is about $91,343. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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Our rankings recognize SUNY Cortland as the #25 school in this year's rankings. SUNY Cortland is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Cortland.
It takes about 4.3 years for the average student at SUNY Cortland to complete their degree, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $25,238. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland be around $108,019. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
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Remaining Award Winners
This list shows the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 539 different United States social sciences schools we analyzed.
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Social Sciences students that almost earned our Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences award.
Social Sciences by Region
View the Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
Rankings in Majors Related to Social Sciences
Social Sciences Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Political Science & Government | 41,811 |
| Economics | 40,355 |
| Sociology | 29,920 |
| International Relations & National Security | 9,868 |
| Anthropology | 9,040 |
View All Social Sciences Related Majors >
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 123,980 |
| Communication & Journalism | 96,549 |
| Education | 88,927 |
| History | 25,943 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 24,420 |
View All Social Sciences Related Majors >
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to AndrГ© KГјnzelmann.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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