2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for social sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $33,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $41,771. Set against $12,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,212. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,522. Set against $13,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

4

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,857 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,013. That is a strong return on a $11,857 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for social sciences. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

6

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,250. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $86,946. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.

7

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

Frederick Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,848 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $32,749. Set against $10,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,415. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $36,033 early in their careers. Set against $12,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

9

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,841. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College landed the #10 spot for social sciences value this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,650. 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.

11

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

12

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,919. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,469. That is a strong return on a $14,919 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

13

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

14

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,528. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.

15

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,851. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $22,053. That is a strong return on a $5,851 median debt.

16

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,179. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $55,374. That is a strong return on a $20,179 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

17

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,549 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,898. That is a strong return on a $22,549 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

18

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Brookdale Community College earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $26,231 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,395 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $81,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

21

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,693. Social Sciences graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.

22

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,054. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

Delaware County Community College placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,500. Social Sciences graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,941. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $56,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,941 median debt.

25

Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC

Trinity Washington University came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.