2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for social sciences in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,796 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $28,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,291 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $31,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,291 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T 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 Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,094 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $40,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #5 makes Fayetteville State University one of the best values for social sciences. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $30,365. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $33,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $27,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $24,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,086 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $31,895. Set against $26,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Davidson College placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,344 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $59,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,863 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,938. That is a strong return on a $25,863 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,100 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,910. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,739 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $27,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,739 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $26,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $32,390 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,861. Set against $32,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,503 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Wingate University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,556. Social Sciences graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $53,836 early in their careers. Set against $25,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Warren Wilson College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Swannanoa, Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,500 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,260 ten years after entry. Warren Wilson College admits about 71% of applicants.
Wake Forest University landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,074 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $52,603. Set against $22,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,674 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $82,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $59,654. Set against $27,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
High Point University earned the #21 position for value in social sciences this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,910 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $55,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
