2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #2 place for general social sciences. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $22,916. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $37,501. Set against $22,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Western Community College earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $9,128 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $19,220. Set against $9,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Mississippi Delta Community College
Moorhead, MS

A rank of #5 makes Mississippi Delta Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,819 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Mississippi Delta Community College earn a median of $42,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,819 median debt.

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $23,375. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $33,235. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. 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. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,427. That is a strong return on a $24,095 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

8

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #8 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $10,500. General Social Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $25,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College ranked #9 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. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. 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.

10

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #10 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #11 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,800 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $34,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

12

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #12 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the general social sciences program here. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

13

The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Wise, VA

The University Of Virginias College At Wise landed the #13 spot for general social sciences value this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $17,714. 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. The acceptance rate is 28%.

14

East Georgia State College
Swainsboro, GA

East Georgia State College came in at #14 for value in general social sciences this year. East Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Swainsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,900, with out-of-state students paying around $9,860. Students borrow a median of $15,760 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $54,784. Set against $15,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University came in at #15 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,125 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $36,547. That is a strong return on a $28,125 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $44,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,530 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #17 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $61,389 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

18

North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University came in at #18 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $34,562 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $35,978 early in their careers. Set against $34,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

19

Allen University
Columbia, SC

Allen University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Allen University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,304. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $38,198 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $23,095. That is a strong return on a $38,198 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

20

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University earned the #20 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

21

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #21 spot for general social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

22

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #22 spot for general social sciences value this year. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.

23

University Of South Carolina Beaufort
Bluffton, SC

University Of South Carolina Beaufort placed #23 among the best values for general social sciences. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. Students from in state pay about $10,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of South Carolina Beaufort earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

24

Grambling State University
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, compared with $16,706 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $40,941 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $34,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grambling State University admits about 45% of applicants.

25

Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,955 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Charleston Southern University earn a median of $23,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,955 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.