2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Missouri
[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.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Missouri
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
Leading the list is Truman State University, our #1 best value for social sciences in Missouri. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,649. Social Sciences graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,106. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,810. Set against $16,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Harris Stowe State University one of 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,750. Social Sciences graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $28,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #4 place for social sciences. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,381. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,311. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,410 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $38,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Avila University earned the #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. 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 #8 among the best values for social sciences. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,748 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $40,673. Set against $22,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,860. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $44,404 early in their careers. Set against $19,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,022 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $47,448. That is a strong return on a $24,022 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,572 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $54,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Park University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $58,786. Set against $22,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $24,378 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,502. That is a strong return on a $24,378 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Webster University placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Webster University earn a median of $66,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
