2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Oregon
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Portland State University earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in Oregon. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,197. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $36,994. Set against $25,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #2 makes Lane Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,202, compared with $13,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,373 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,373 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Portland Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $21,644 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Western Oregon University one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,514, with out-of-state students paying around $32,169. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $34,245 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Oregon State University one of the best values for social sciences. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,920. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Eastern Oregon University came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Eastern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of La Grande. In-state tuition and fees average $11,184, compared with $24,729 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Eastern Oregon University earn a median of $42,347 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Oregon earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,260 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Willamette University earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,156. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,213. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Willamette University generally make around $40,075. That is a strong return on a $21,213 median debt. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Portland ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Portland generally make around $23,017. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Reed College came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Reed College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,350. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,842. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,110. Set against $22,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Reed College admits about 25% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,671. Social Sciences graduates of Lewis And Clark College earn a median of $44,176 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,671 median debt. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
