2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in New York

1

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

For return on investment in general social sciences, no school beat Suny Empire State College this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Erie Community College earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.

3

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $36,726. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Rockland Community College
Suffern, NY

Rockland Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,862. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

6

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $28,844. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

7

Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Sparkill, NY

Saint Thomas Aquinas College landed the #7 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Thomas Aquinas College admits about 93% of applicants.

8

Mount Saint Mary College
Newburgh, NY

Mount Saint Mary College landed the #8 spot for general social sciences value this year. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $43,450. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Mount Saint Mary College earn a median of $65,715 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

9

Dominican College Of Blauvelt
Orangeburg, NY

Dominican College Of Blauvelt came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Dominican College Of Blauvelt is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,220. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $27,000. General Social Sciences graduates of Dominican College Of Blauvelt earn a median of $28,351 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

10

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #10 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,593 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $51,037. That is a strong return on a $26,593 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

11

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Students borrow a median of $33,937 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Touro College earn a median of $40,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,937 median debt. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.

12

Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,436. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $23,302 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bard College admits about 52% of applicants.

13

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #13 for value in general social sciences this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,016. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

14

Marymount Manhattan College
New York, NY

Marymount Manhattan College placed #14 among the best values for general social sciences. 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. General Social Sciences graduates of Marymount Manhattan College earn a median of $30,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.