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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Arkansas

5 Colleges in the United States
$26,984 Avg Student Debt
$49,576 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Sciences Badge [Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Arkansas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools

1
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Leading the list is Arkansas Tech University, our #1 best value for social sciences in Arkansas. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,180 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $32,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.

2

Arkansas State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $34,358. Set against $26,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $39,648 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock generally make around $47,170. Set against $39,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Arkansas one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $35,565. That is a strong return on a $21,601 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.

5
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,567 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $31,171. That is a strong return on a $24,567 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

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6

Harding University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.

7
Hendrix College crest
Hendrix College
Conway, AR

Hendrix College earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Hendrix College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,200. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Hendrix College generally make around $40,445. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hendrix College admits about 56% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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