2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Tacoma Campus the best value for a degree in social sciences in Washington. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,380 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $57,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,380 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,181. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $46,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,662 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $35,640. Set against $20,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,643 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $38,866. Set against $22,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Central Washington University landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,095. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,301 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $32,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,301 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pacific Lutheran University landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,543. Social Sciences graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $41,028 early in their careers. Set against $20,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The Evergreen State College placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $26,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $33,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Whitworth University came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Students borrow a median of $24,282 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $51,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,449. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $41,474. Set against $20,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,050. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,784. Social Sciences graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $39,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Gonzaga University placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,397 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,581. Set against $23,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[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.
