2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania

1

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,500. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $68,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

2

Delaware County Community College
Media, PA

Delaware County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.

3

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

5

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

A rank of #5 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values for social sciences. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,600. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt.

6

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,933. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,828. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

7

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Indiana, PA

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $39,492. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

8

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

9

Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA

Lycoming College landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,804 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $40,646 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $26,037. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

11

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,824. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

12

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown
Johnstown, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,810. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $35,830. Set against $25,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

13

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Millersville, PA

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,619. Social Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $36,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Westminster College Pa
New Wilmington, PA

Westminster College Pa landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $40,290. Students borrow a median of $26,528 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of $41,105 early in their careers. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westminster College Pa admits about 93% of applicants.

15

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,390. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,166. Set against $27,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.

16

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.

17

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Erie, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

18

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,195 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.

19

Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,183. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

20

Keystone College
La Plume, PA

Keystone College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Plume. In-state tuition and fees average $18,300. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Keystone College generally make around $35,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

21

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg
Middletown, PA

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.

22

Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

23

Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,759 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

24

Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA

Saint Vincent College earned the #24 position for value in social sciences this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,088. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

25

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, PA

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,596 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.