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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate

159 Ranked Colleges
3,621 Degrees Awarded
$20,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Doctorate” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 159 colleges that offered a degree 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 27 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences

#1

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State are $16,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at South Dakota State University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate. University of North Texas is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 16 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UNT

#3

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas State University

#3

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637.

Full University of South Dakota Social Sciences Report

#21 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree social sciences students list, UW - Madison has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Capella University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Capella University

Texas Woman’s University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Denton, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas Woman’s University

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IUP are $18,207, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Bowling Green, Ohio 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.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at BGSU

Iowa State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State University are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Iowa State Social Sciences Report

With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 45 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

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

#11

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Texas A&M University - College Station

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’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 NIU are $11,086.

Read more about Social Sciences at NIU

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USF Tampa Social Sciences Report

#14

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas Tech Social Sciences Report

#15

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#15

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Chicago, Illinois 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 9 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Loyola University Chicago

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 11 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

#18

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Clemson

#19

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #19. University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW are $16,615, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UW

#20

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #20. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Florida Social Sciences Report

#20

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UH

#22

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 35 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Cornell University

#23

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #23. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Virginia Tech

#24

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Kansas Social Sciences Report

University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Alabama at Birmingham are $19,188.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Alabama at Birmingham

With a ranking of #25, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Missouri - Columbia

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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