by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 105 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,160. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,077. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $19,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #3 makes South Texas College one of the best values for social sciences. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Lamar State College Orange, which ranked #5. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. 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. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $8,333. Social Sciences graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $8,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #8 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. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,876 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Paris Junior College placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Central Texas College landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,223. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lone Star College System landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Rice University earn a median of $73,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,289 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,791. That is a strong return on a $31,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #18 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,085 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,577. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,361. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,363 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $31,975. Set against $21,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $36,615. Social Sciences graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $38,042 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,615 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,490 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,456. That is a strong return on a $26,490 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,394. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $41,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,066 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $56,883. That is a strong return on a $11,066 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #25 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $38,445 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $34,938. Set against $38,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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This list is compiled 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.