2027 Best Value Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 229 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $87,586. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,857 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $43,838. Set against $11,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $39,907. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #5 place for social sciences. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,701. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $31,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,701 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,212 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $36,073. That is a strong return on a $13,212 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,415 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,102. Set against $12,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,336. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,304. That is a strong return on a $15,336 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $14,292 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $34,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,083. Social Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $39,931 early in their careers. Set against $12,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,841 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,957. Set against $9,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,319 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $57,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,319 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,959. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,741. Set against $14,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,565 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $37,198. That is a strong return on a $17,565 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,858. Social Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $59,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,858 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,866. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $38,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,994. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $39,885. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $41,698. Set against $14,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,577. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $54,971. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,595 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $40,572 early in their careers. Set against $23,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $17,309 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $37,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #24 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $56,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,252 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
Other Social Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 229 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.
