2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/social-sciences-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general social sciences students.
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2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $20,238 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $47,248. Set against $20,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Amarillo College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Tulsa Community College one of the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,625. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,203. Set against $12,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $11,290. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Cochise College landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $12,013. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,811 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College earned the #8 position for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
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. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. 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. Located in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,410. General Social Sciences graduates of Dine College earn a median of $20,227 early in their careers.
University Of North Texas placed #11 among the best values for general social sciences. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $34,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Rogers State University earned the #12 position for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,573 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $34,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $20,429. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $45,687. That is a strong return on a $20,429 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
