2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in social sciences in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.

2

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,077 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $19,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

3

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #3. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.

4

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,112. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $28,987. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

6

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.

7

Lamar State College Orange
Orange, TX

Lamar State College Orange earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.

8

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,203. Set against $12,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Paris Junior College
Paris, TX

Paris Junior College placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.

12

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,473. That is a strong return on a $12,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Carl Albert State College
Poteau, OK

Carl Albert State College landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,708. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,441. Social Sciences graduates of Carl Albert State College earn a median of $33,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College landed the #14 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Set against $15,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

16

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.

17

Central Texas College
Killeen, TX

Central Texas College placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.

18

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $29,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

19

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria earned the #19 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,081. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

20

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,860 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $24,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

21

Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

23

Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK

Northern Oklahoma College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College earned the #24 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,895.

25

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #25 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.