2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the New England Region

1

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Our analysis ranked Williams College the best value for a degree in social sciences in the New England Region. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,034. Social Sciences graduates of Williams College earn a median of $79,134 early in their careers. Set against $12,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,715. Social Sciences graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $85,109 early in their careers. Set against $10,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

A rank of #3 makes Massachusetts Bay Community College one of the best values for social sciences. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #4. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,662. Social Sciences graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $86,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,662 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

6

Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $37,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,665 median debt.

7

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $41,263. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,304. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $30,508. That is a strong return on a $21,304 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of Maine At Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME

University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,434. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

12

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,792 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $34,475 early in their careers. Set against $23,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

13

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.

14

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,818 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $36,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

15

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,940. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.

16

Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,555. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $68,479. Set against $19,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

17

Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.

18

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $40,778. That is a strong return on a $26,419 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

19

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,924. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,358. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,169 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $47,480. Set against $24,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,592 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $35,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

22

Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

Plymouth State University came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.

23

Keene State College
Keene, NH

Keene State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $35,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island placed #24 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,397 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,037. That is a strong return on a $22,397 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

25

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,362. Social Sciences graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $35,756 early in their careers. Set against $29,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.