2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the The Plains States 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 66 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Southeast Community College Area tops our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,106 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,810. Set against $16,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,649 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,819. Social Sciences graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $31,644. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $47,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,926. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $45,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wichita State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,844 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $38,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,268. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,573 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $47,870. That is a strong return on a $21,573 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Washburn University landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,734 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $28,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,734 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Pittsburg State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $46,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $25,753 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,311 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $37,193. That is a strong return on a $25,311 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,410. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,252. That is a strong return on a $24,410 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $21,939 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,271. Set against $21,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Grinnell College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $40,304. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Avila University earned the #20 position for value in social sciences this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,750. Social Sciences graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,939. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Butler Community College landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,670. Social Sciences graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $20,951 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $36,479. Set against $20,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,748 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,673. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,980. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,581. That is a strong return on a $25,980 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.
