2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in District of Columbia

[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Trinity Washington University the best value for a degree in social sciences in District of Columbia. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $56,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of The District Of Columbia one of the best values for social sciences. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $36,562. Social Sciences graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $49,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,562 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Catholic University Of America earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $44,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,409 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $62,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,003. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $72,472. That is a strong return on a $16,003 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
American University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American University generally make around $58,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Howard University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Howard University earn a median of $31,897 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.