2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

1

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Massachusetts. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,034 to complete the social sciences program here. 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

A rank of #2 makes Harvard University one of the best values for social sciences. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $10,715 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $85,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Students borrow a median of $11,008 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Roxbury Community College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,941. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amherst College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Students borrow a median of $16,662 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $86,897. That is a strong return on a $16,662 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.

6

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,975. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,825. Social Sciences graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $42,938 early in their careers. Set against $8,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $36,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,940 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

10

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, 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. Set against $26,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.

11

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,924. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $41,358 early in their careers. Set against $25,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,169. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $47,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,169 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,424. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $47,070. That is a strong return on a $25,424 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

14

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,362. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $35,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.

15

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,727 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $71,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

16

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,099 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,714. That is a strong return on a $25,099 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

17

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,911. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,840. That is a strong return on a $24,911 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.

18

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,631. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.

19

Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $88,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.

20

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Smith College earn a median of $55,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.

21

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,156 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

22

Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College earned the #22 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,330 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $39,657. Set against $25,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

23

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $34,831. That is a strong return on a $26,013 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.

24

Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,356 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Assumption College generally make around $46,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

25

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $36,649. Set against $20,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.