by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 50 schools to find the best return on investment for other social sciences students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Wilmington University tops our 2026 list of the best value other social sciences schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Towson University one of the best values for other social sciences. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $36,279. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned it the #4 place for other social sciences. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Other Social Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $53,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
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Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for other social sciences. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $42,844. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #7 spot for other social sciences value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The Sage Colleges earned the #8 position for value in other social sciences this year. Set in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,164. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,865 in student loans. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $27,436. That is a strong return on a $26,865 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Keystone College earned the #9 position for value in other social sciences this year. Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Plume. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,300. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Keystone College generally make around $35,568. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keystone College admits about 85% of applicants.
Loyola University Baltimore placed #10 among the best values for other social sciences. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Other Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other social sciences degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore generally make around $33,993. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Loyola University Baltimore admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Rochester earned the #11 position for value in other social sciences this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,366 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $37,491. Set against $21,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #12 among the best values for other social sciences. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other social sciences graduates is $24,958. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Bard College landed the #13 spot for other 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,436. Students borrow a median of $26,402 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $35,861. Set against $26,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
New York University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other social sciences schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,188 to complete the other social sciences program here. Early-career other social sciences graduates make about $35,772. Set against $20,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
