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

5 Colleges in the United States
$18,932 Avg Student Debt
$49,127 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Sciences Badge [Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 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 Arizona

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

Best Value Social Sciences Schools

1

Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for social sciences in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Cochise College, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona Western College earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,895.

4
Dine College crest
Dine College
Tsaile, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dine College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,410. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $20,227.

5

Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for social sciences. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,441 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,217. That is a strong return on a $21,441 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,594 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,082. Set against $21,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,104 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,048. That is a strong return on a $22,104 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

9

Grand Canyon University landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

10

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,901. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $46,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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