2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Minnesota

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in Minnesota. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,573 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,203. That is a strong return on a $21,573 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

2

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

3

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,734 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $28,991 early in their careers. Set against $22,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

4

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,147 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $43,993 early in their careers. Set against $23,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,241 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,540. That is a strong return on a $24,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $35,998. Social Sciences graduates of Capella University earn a median of $53,838 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,916 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $41,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

9

Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,910 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,853. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

11

Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,403. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,478. That is a strong return on a $24,403 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12

Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,509. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $44,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.

13

Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. Students from in state pay about $55,816 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Saint Johns University generally make around $42,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Johns University admits about 91% of applicants.

14

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,295 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $66,567. Set against $19,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 20%.

15

Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Students borrow a median of $23,096 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $52,997. Set against $23,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.

16

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,893 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $55,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,893 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.