2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles tops our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

2

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for general social sciences. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $19,937. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $56,540. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

4

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,125 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Troy University earn a median of $36,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,360. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

6

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $58,507. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

7

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,000. General Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

8

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #8 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,824. General Social Sciences graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #9 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $53,788. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

10

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

11

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,546. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $52,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #12 among the best values for general social sciences. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $72,222. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $40,941 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $34,975 early in their careers. Set against $40,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

14

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.

15

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

16

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #16 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $34,734. General Social Sciences graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $45,614 early in their careers. Set against $34,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College earned the #17 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,436. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Bard College generally make around $23,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

18

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #18 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

19

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #19 among the best values for general social sciences. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Students borrow a median of $47,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $47,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.