2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for social sciences in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,172 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $38,020. Set against $16,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $16,399 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $30,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

3

Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $5,801. Social Sciences graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

4

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Virginia Community College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,500. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,252 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,849. That is a strong return on a $20,252 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,213 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $36,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,213 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $14,319. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

8

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

9

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,994 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $35,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,994 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

11

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,000. Social Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Richmond, VA

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $18,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,057. Set against $20,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,849 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,452. Set against $19,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

15

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, VA

Virginia Western Community College placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,128 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $19,220. That is a strong return on a $9,128 median debt.

16

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $17,309 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,265. Set against $17,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

17

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $21,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

18

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,329 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,349. Set against $16,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

19

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,595. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,127. Set against $23,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

20

Concord University
Athens, WV

Concord University came in at #20 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Athens, Concord University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,000. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,214 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Concord University generally make around $36,250. That is a strong return on a $20,214 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

21

Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Students borrow a median of $25,447 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $35,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

22

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Tifton, GA

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Tifton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,368 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College admits about 76% of applicants.

24

Mississippi Delta Community College
Moorhead, MS

Mississippi Delta Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $13,819. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College generally make around $42,854. Set against $13,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

The University Of Tennessee Martin
Martin, TN

The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #25 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.