by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Berea College this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,801. Social Sciences graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,250. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $21,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $34,511 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,346 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,305. That is a strong return on a $21,346 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Georgetown College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,498. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $35,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $32,005. Set against $21,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,225 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $35,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Centre College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
Transylvania University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,653 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Transylvania University earn a median of $45,208 early in their careers. Set against $26,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.