by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 75 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 Bowdoin College this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,555. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $69,435. Set against $19,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Massachusetts Bay Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,008 median debt.
Roxbury Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, compared with $11,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,665. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Roxbury Community College generally make around $37,941. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,434 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $41,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bunker Hill Community College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,059. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Worcester State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,102. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,377. Social Sciences graduates of Colby College earn a median of $71,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,377 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Williams College placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,034 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Williams College earn a median of $77,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,715. Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $84,634 early in their careers. Set against $10,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Massasoit Community College landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,825 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,825 median debt.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,818. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $37,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,940. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $37,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,792. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,376. Set against $23,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,169 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $43,636. Set against $24,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,419 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Augusta earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $29,313 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,362. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $34,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,924. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,238. Set against $25,592 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Vermont earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,919 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $34,078 early in their careers. Set against $21,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $13,967 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $75,615. That is a strong return on a $13,967 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Keene State College landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,906. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Amherst College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,662 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $86,823. Set against $16,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.