2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Leading the list is Northern Virginia Community College, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the Southeast Region. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

A rank of #2 makes J Sargeant Reynolds Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

A rank of #3 makes The University Of West Florida one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $22,916. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $37,501. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $19,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,128 median debt.

5

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $33,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

6

Mississippi Delta Community College
Moorhead, MS

Mississippi Delta Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,819 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $42,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,095. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

8

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,000. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $29,425. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #9 position for value in general social sciences this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $25,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $34,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

12

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $38,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Wise, VA

The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,780 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,010. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

14

East Georgia State College
Swainsboro, GA

East Georgia State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Swainsboro, East Georgia State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,900, with out-of-state students paying around $9,860. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,760 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of East Georgia State College earn a median of $54,784 early in their careers. Set against $15,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University placed #15 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $28,125. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $36,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

16

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University landed the #16 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky placed #17 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,094. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

18

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #18 among the best values for general social sciences. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

19

North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University landed the #19 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $34,562. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $35,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

20

Allen University
Columbia, SC

Allen University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Allen University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,304. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $38,198. General Social Sciences graduates of Allen University earn a median of $23,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Allen University admits about 72% of applicants.

21

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #21 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $47,271. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC

University Of South Carolina Beaufort ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Bluffton, University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,730, compared with $21,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $37,500. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. University Of South Carolina Beaufort admits about 72% of applicants.

23

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #23 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $45,300. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #24 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.

25

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University came in at #25 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,683, while out-of-state students pay about $16,706. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $40,941. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Grambling State University generally make around $34,975. That is a strong return on a $40,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.