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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in Virginia

7 Colleges in the United States
$13,763 Avg Student Debt
$43,897 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Badge [General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general social sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Social Sciences Schools

1

Our analysis ranked J Sargeant Reynolds Community College the best value for a degree in general social sciences in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $18,164. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,128. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Northern Virginia Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $23,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

A rank of #4 makes Thomas Nelson Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $10,500. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $25,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Tidewater Community College came in at #5 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,000. General Social Sciences graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,425 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #6 for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $17,714. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.

7
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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