2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in West Virginia

[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in West Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked Blue Ridge Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in social sciences in West Virginia. Blue Ridge Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,752, compared with $8,808 for out-of-state students. 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.
Fairmont State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,447. Social Sciences graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $35,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,447 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,233. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Set against $24,233 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. 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. Set against $20,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Concord University earned it the #5 place for social sciences. 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,214. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $35,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
Bluefield State College placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,648, while out-of-state students pay about $18,376. Students borrow a median of $24,791 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Bluefield State College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,791 median debt. Bluefield State College admits about 97% of applicants.
West Virginia University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,532. Social Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $31,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Charleston placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Charleston is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $64,407. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.