2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
[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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Massachusetts Bay Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roxbury Community College earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,941. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Bunker Hill Community College one of the best values 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, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,893. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,975. 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.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,715. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $84,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Massasoit Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,825. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Set against $8,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Williams College landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $12,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete the social sciences program here. 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. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $24,169 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $43,636 early in their careers. Set against $24,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,419. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $41,339. That is a strong return on a $26,419 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $34,423. That is a strong return on a $29,362 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #13 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,924 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $42,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,924 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,424 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Amherst College landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,662 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $86,823. Set against $16,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,099 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,156 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,772. That is a strong return on a $25,156 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,727 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $70,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Simmons College landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,330. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,657. Set against $25,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,811 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,656. That is a strong return on a $20,811 median debt. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Western New England University placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,820. Students borrow a median of $25,520 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Western New England University generally make around $64,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
Smith College earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Smith College earn a median of $58,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Students borrow a median of $26,788 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $45,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Social Sciences graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $88,950 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Clark University came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $34,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
More Social Sciences Rankings
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
