2026 Best Value Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,340 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,115 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

3

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $41,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,212 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

5

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,857. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,013. Set against $11,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

6

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,274. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,682 early in their careers. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

7

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,083. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,675. That is a strong return on a $12,083 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,701 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,176. That is a strong return on a $13,701 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

9

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,172. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $36,498 early in their careers. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

10

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,415. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $35,993. That is a strong return on a $12,415 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

11

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,841 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,491. Set against $9,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

12

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,106 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

13

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,160. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,336. Social Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $29,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

15

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,399 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,881. That is a strong return on a $16,399 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

16

Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.

17

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $41,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

18

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,292 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $32,912. Set against $14,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

19

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

20

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,422 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,554. Set against $14,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

21

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $87,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,919 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $39,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,919 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $31,454. Set against $14,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

24

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,077. Social Sciences graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,077 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

25

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $37,783. That is a strong return on a $17,765 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.