2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Indiana
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Indiana
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
Indiana University East earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in Indiana. Set in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,098 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $49,598 early in their careers. Set against $24,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University East admits about 67% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $48,722 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $38,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,948. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $35,370 early in their careers. Set against $25,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,999. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,588. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,435. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $40,103. Set against $23,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Evansville came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Evansville generally make around $59,618. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $32,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Depauw University came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Students borrow a median of $26,987 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $61,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,963 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,963 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Wabash College placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,808. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Taylor University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys College placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,230. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,617 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $65,455. That is a strong return on a $19,617 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,240. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,366. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,088. Set against $28,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Butler University landed the #17 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
