2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

Leading the list is Frederick Community College, our #1 best value for general social sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Set against $10,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Essex County College earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $5,851 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $22,053. Set against $5,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,580. General Social Sciences graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

A rank of #4 makes Brookdale Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $26,231. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

5

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny Empire State College earned it the #5 place for general social sciences. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,693. General Social Sciences graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University earned the #6 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $57,142. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.

7

Rockland Community College
Suffern, NY

Rockland Community College placed #7 among the best values for general social sciences. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.

8

Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC

Trinity Washington University placed #8 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

9

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College landed the #9 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $23,599 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $50,557. That is a strong return on a $23,599 median debt.

10

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #10 for value in general social sciences this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $37,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

11

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $27,600. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,978. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $36,726. That is a strong return on a $26,978 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.

13

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

14

Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $43,047. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $28,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

16

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #16 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.

17

Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Sparkill, NY

Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #17 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College generally make around $44,519. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

18

Mount Saint Mary College
Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College placed #18 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,450. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Mount Saint Mary College generally make around $65,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

Dominican College Of Blauvelt
Orangeburg, NY

Dominican College Of Blauvelt landed the #19 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Orangeburg, Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,220. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Dominican College Of Blauvelt earn a median of $28,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dominican College Of Blauvelt admits about 63% of applicants.

20

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University came in at #20 for value in general social sciences this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Students borrow a median of $26,593 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

21

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College earned the #21 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,052 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $33,937. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $40,111. Set against $33,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.

22

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for general social sciences value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

23

Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College came in at #23 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,436. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,747. General Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $23,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

24

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #24 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from New York University generally make around $49,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

25

Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College landed the #25 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Marymount Manhattan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,870. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,594 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,533. That is a strong return on a $25,594 median debt. Marymount Manhattan College admits about 83% of applicants.