by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in social sciences in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,557. 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.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,077 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $20,048. Set against $15,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Tarrant County College District came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,876 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $25,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $18,506. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Paris Junior College earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the social sciences program here. 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.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #10 position 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, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Austin Community College District earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,333 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Collin County Community College District ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $36,615 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $38,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $35,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,892 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,005. Set against $22,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #17 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,363 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $31,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,958 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,945. That is a strong return on a $17,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Central Texas College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Blinn College came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Rice University came in at #21 for value in social sciences this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Rice University earn a median of $73,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,289 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University earned the #23 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,550 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,714. That is a strong return on a $31,550 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $33,977. Set against $26,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.