2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Washington
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools in Washington. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,258. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $52,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,246. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,181 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Green River Community College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,712.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Washington University one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,662. Social Sciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $36,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,662 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #6 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,643. Social Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $38,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 $35,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pacific Lutheran University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,543 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Washington University earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,301 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $31,981. That is a strong return on a $20,301 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
The Evergreen State College earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, with out-of-state students paying around $31,905. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,434. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,146. That is a strong return on a $26,434 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,282. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $52,503. Set against $24,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Whitman College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,784 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $41,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Seattle University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,449 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $41,474 early in their careers. Set against $20,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Gonzaga University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,397. Social Sciences graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $34,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,849 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
