2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #2. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,446 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,149. That is a strong return on a $15,446 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

3

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #3. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,149. General Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $18,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $15,598. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,194 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $39,061. That is a strong return on a $16,194 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

8

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $33,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

9

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

10

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida came in at #10 for value in general social sciences this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,916 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $37,501 early in their careers. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

11

California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $18,719 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

12

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in general social sciences this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,095. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,427. Set against $24,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

13

Great Basin College
Elko, NV

Great Basin College came in at #13 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Elko, Great Basin College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,923, compared with $11,996 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,128 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Great Basin College earn a median of $67,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,128 median debt.

14

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #14 position for value in general social sciences this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

15

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $16,338. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,871. Set against $16,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #16 for value in general social sciences this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,559. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $57,538 early in their careers. Set against $20,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

17

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #17 spot for general social sciences value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

18

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,499. General Social Sciences graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $38,659 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

20

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,442 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $35,363 early in their careers. Set against $22,442 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu placed #22 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $19,889. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Hawaii West Oahu generally make around $34,388. Set against $19,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii West Oahu admits about 95% of applicants.

23

The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Wise, VA

The University Of Virginias College At Wise placed #23 among the best values for general social sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #24 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $38,850 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

25

Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC

Trinity Washington University came in at #25 for value in general social sciences this year. Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $31,194. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $56,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.