by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,525. Social Sciences graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the social sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,148 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,322 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,906 early in their careers. Set against $22,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $25,860 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $31,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,048. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $28,055. That is a strong return on a $26,048 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,839. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,574. Set against $25,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Otterbein University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,548. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,282. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $45,871. Set against $25,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Shawnee State University landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $32,250 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,878. Set against $32,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,538 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $33,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio Wesleyan University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,248. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $27,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Ashland University earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,738. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $44,455. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Capital University placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,234. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,248. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,321. That is a strong return on a $26,248 median debt. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,350. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,773. Social Sciences graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,147 early in their careers. Set against $24,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University placed #18 among the best values for social sciences. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $57,104. Set against $22,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Franklin University earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Students borrow a median of $35,890 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,937 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,088. That is a strong return on a $23,937 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Tiffin University came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $52,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,301. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $48,698. Set against $25,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,832 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,366 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $31,696. That is a strong return on a $27,366 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
John Carroll University landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,500. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,701 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $38,780. Set against $25,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Dayton placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,140 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $34,671. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.