by our College Data Analytics Team
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat College Of The Ozarks this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Truman State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,813. That is a strong return on a $26,649 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,260. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $38,087. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,106. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $36,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes Lincoln University Missouri one of the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,692. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $32,831 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Lincoln University Missouri earn a median of $37,449 early in their careers. Set against $32,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Southeast Missouri State University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $25,311 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $37,193 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Park University earn a median of $58,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,410. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,878. That is a strong return on a $24,410 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,748. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $41,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,022 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $47,448. Set against $24,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,860 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $43,893. Set against $19,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,572 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,680. That is a strong return on a $15,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Drury University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $33,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Drury University generally make around $37,267. That is a strong return on a $33,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #15 for value in social sciences this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Webster University came in at #16 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Webster University earn a median of $66,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $24,378 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $30,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.