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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Other Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
$26,670 Avg Student Debt
$57,310 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Other Social Sciences Master's Degree Badge [Other Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/other-social-sciences/social-sciences-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools to find the best return on investment for other social sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools

1
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

For return on investment in other social sciences, no school beat Suny Empire State College this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Lincoln University Missouri crest
Lincoln University Missouri
Jefferson City, MO

Lincoln University Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Jefferson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $32,831. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. That is a strong return on a $32,831 median debt.

3
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

A rank of #3 makes Wilmington University one of the best values for other social sciences. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Other Social Sciences graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Columbus State University one of the best values for other social sciences. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $28,493. Other Social Sciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $45,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

5

Students looking for strong value in other social sciences will find it at Georgia Southern University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

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6

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #6 spot for other social sciences value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best values for other social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $26,000. Other Social Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $72,024 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

Azusa Pacific University came in at #8 for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $46,937. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9
Midland University crest
Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University placed #9 among the best values for other social sciences. Midland University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,050. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,536 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $51,524. That is a strong return on a $27,536 median debt. Midland University admits about 66% of applicants.

10
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University landed the #10 spot for other social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $48,671. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

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11
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value other social sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,436 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,402 to complete the other social sciences program here. Other Social Sciences graduates of Bard College earn a median of $35,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

Other Other Social Sciences Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Social Sciences rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Other Social Sciences
Associate's Degrees in Other Social Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Other Social Sciences
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View All Other Social Sciences Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 153 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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