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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s

337 Ranked Colleges
16,724 Degrees Awarded
$12,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 16,724 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s” ranking looked at 337 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences

Top 25% in overall quality

Out of the 337 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 6 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at BYU are $7,510, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full BYU Social Sciences Report

#2

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Out of the 337 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Lindenwood University landed the #2 spot on the list. Lindenwood University is a medium-sized school located in Saint Charles, Missouri that handed out 33 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Lindenwood University

#3

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

Out of the 337 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the #3 spot on the list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 31 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at American Public University System

#4

Southwestern College

Winfield, Kansas

Out of the 337 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Southwestern College landed the #4 spot on the list. SC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winfield, Kansas. It awarded 8 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SC are $12,174, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SC Social Sciences Report

Out of the 337 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #5 spot on the list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 16 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State University - Mankato are $8,788, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Minnesota State Mankato

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Maryville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest Missouri State University are $6,673, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwest Social Sciences Report

#7

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Bellevue University is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Nebraska that handed out 96 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Bellevue University Social Sciences Report

#8

Saint Joseph's University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Top 10% in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Saint Joseph’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 121 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

St. Joe’s excels when it comes to social sciences quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St. Joe’s are $17,802.

Full Saint Joseph’s University Social Sciences Report

#9

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
Top 15% in overall quality

Creighton University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Creighton is in the top on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Creighton are $18,528, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Creighton University

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. North Dakota State University is a public institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#11

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Webster is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Webster are $13,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Webster

#12

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma City University are $13,410.

Full OCU Social Sciences Report

#13

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 120 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Arizona State University - Skysong

#14

Lasell University

Newton, Massachusetts
Top 25% in overall quality

Lasell University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. This small school is located in Newton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 53 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lasell University are $10,960, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Lasell University

#15

Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Top 25% in overall quality

Saint Vincent College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Vincent are $14,310, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Saint Vincent

#16

Regis University

Denver, Colorado

With a ranking of #16, Regis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Regis University is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Regis University are $14,322, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Regis U Social Sciences Report

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 12 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Missouri State Social Sciences Report

#18

The University of Tampa

Tampa, Florida

The University of Tampa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 20 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tampa are $11,870, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Tampa Social Sciences Report

#19

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
Top 10% in overall quality

Villanova University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #19. Villanova University is a fairly large school located in Villanova, Pennsylvania that handed out 12 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Villanova excels when it comes to social sciences quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova University are $20,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Villanova University Social Sciences Report

#20

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of North Texas

#21

Mercer University

Macon, Georgia
Top 25% in overall quality

Mercer University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Mercer is located in Macon, Georgia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mercer are $15,264.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Mercer University

#22

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York

Niagara University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Niagara University, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Niagara are $14,893.

Full Niagara Social Sciences Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 10 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Social Sciences Report

#25

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State are $16,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full South Dakota State Social Sciences Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Salve Regina University

Newport, Rhode Island
#28

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#29

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#30

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York
#31

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
#31

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#33

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts
#34

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#36

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#37

Salisbury University

Salisbury, Maryland
#38

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#39

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#40

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#41

Hunter College

New York, New York
#42

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#44

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#45

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas
#46

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#47

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#48

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
#49

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#50

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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