2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Washington

1

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Tacoma Campus the best value for a degree in social sciences in Washington. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,380 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $57,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,380 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

2

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

Green River Community College
Auburn, WA

Green River Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,181. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $46,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

5

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,662 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $35,640. Set against $20,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

6

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,643 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $38,866. Set against $22,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

7

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,095. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

8

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,301 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $32,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,301 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,543. Social Sciences graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $41,028 early in their careers. Set against $20,543 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

10

The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State College placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Olympia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $26,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.

11

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $33,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

12

Whitworth University
Spokane, WA

Whitworth University came in at #12 for value in social sciences this year. Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Students borrow a median of $24,282 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $51,153 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,449. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $41,474. Set against $20,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

14

Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,050. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,784. Social Sciences graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $39,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,784 median debt. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.

15

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,397 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,581. Set against $23,397 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.

16

University Of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA

University Of Puget Sound earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. Students borrow a median of $24,849 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.