2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 200 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,172. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $38,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,720. That is a strong return on a $16,399 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,319. Social Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $53,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Berea College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $45,254. Set against $20,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $38,065 early in their careers. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Murray State University earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,213. Social Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $35,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $23,637. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Florida came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,309. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $37,190. That is a strong return on a $17,309 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,849 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $33,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,128 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $19,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,595. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,625. That is a strong return on a $23,595 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
American Public University System landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $20,935 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $56,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,935 median debt.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $18,164. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,994 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $35,780. Set against $19,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise placed #18 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,780, with out-of-state students paying around $28,010. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Fairmont State University came in at #19 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,447. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,599. Set against $25,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of North Georgia earned the #20 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $22,703 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Concord University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,664, while out-of-state students pay about $22,000. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,214 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $35,661. Set against $20,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concord University admits about 93% of applicants.
Shepherd University came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,030 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,190. That is a strong return on a $20,030 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Ridge Community And Technical College came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Martinsburg, Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, while out-of-state students pay about $8,808. Students borrow a median of $18,402 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,032. Set against $18,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #25 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $25,478 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 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.
