2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,160. Social Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
El Centro College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,077 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $20,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,876 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $25,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,112. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,987. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paris Junior College earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. In-state tuition and fees average $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,846. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,811. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Social Sciences graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $29,167 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Austin Community College District came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,333. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Tulsa Community College placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,625 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $12,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,235. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cochise College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dine College came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,410 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Dine College generally make around $20,227.
Arizona Western College placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,895.
Lamar University placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $36,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $38,042. Set against $36,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $22,860 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $25,436. That is a strong return on a $22,860 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,456. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
Narrow Social Sciences Schools by State
More Social Sciences Rankings
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.
