by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general social sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general social sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked South Texas College the best value for a degree in general social sciences in the Southwest Region. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $6,868. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,238. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $20,238 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Amarillo College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #4. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,625. General Social Sciences graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $34,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at Central Texas College, which ranked #5. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,290. General Social Sciences graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Cochise College earned the #6 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,811. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Rose State College landed the #9 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,451 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,860. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dine College landed the #10 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. General Social Sciences graduates of Dine College earn a median of $20,227 early in their careers.
University Of North Texas landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,679. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Rogers State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,573. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,955. That is a strong return on a $23,573 median debt.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,429. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $45,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $58,507. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.