2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best General Social Sciences School for You
In 2020-2021, 18,997 people earned a degree or certificate in general social sciences, making the major the #55 most popular in the United States.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. This report analyzed 186 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for social sciences students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Featured schools near , edit
2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the United States
Check out the social sciences programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in General Social Sciences
Our 2023 rankings named Santa Rosa Junior College the best value school in the United States for general social sciences students. SRJC is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Santa Rosa.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 per year.
In addition to its great value ranking, SRJC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Santa Rosa Junior College
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Thomas Edison State University is a great value for general social sciences students. Located in the small city of Trenton, TESU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at TESU are $9,342 a year. While working on their degree, social sciences majors at TESU accumulate an average of around $20,995 in student debt.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, TESU also did well on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Thomas Edison State University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Global Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the large city of Greenwood Village, Colorado State University - Global Campus is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado State University - Global Campus are $8,400 per year. The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at Colorado State University - Global Campus take out is $35,500.
In addition to its great value ranking, Colorado State University - Global Campus is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend The Graduate Center, CUNY. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the large city of New York, The Graduate Center is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at The Graduate Center are $15,360 a year.
The Graduate Center excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at The Graduate Center, CUNY
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bellevue University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Bellevue University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Bellevue University are $8,310 a year. After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from Bellevue University carry an average student debtload of $35,945.
Bellevue University also claimed a spot on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Rose State College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value general social sciences programs. RSC is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of Midwest City.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RSC are $11,131 per year.
Harrisburg Area Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the city of Harrisburg, HACC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at HACC are $9,818 a year. The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at HACC take out is $20,064.
With a ranking of #8, University of Maryland Global Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for general social sciences students. UMGC is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi.
UMGC undergraduate students pay an average of $12,336 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, social sciences majors at UMGC accumulate an average of around $24,250 in student debt.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UMGC also did well on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Full General Social Sciences at University of Maryland Global Campus Report
Metropolitan State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for general social sciences students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, Metro State is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Metro State are $9,394 per year. On average, social sciences graduates from Metro State take out $30,882 in student loans while working on their degree.
Metro State also claimed a spot on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the town of River Falls, UW - River Falls is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
UW - River Falls undergraduate students pay an average of $15,661 in tuition and fees each year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - River Falls also is in the top 10% of our Best General Social Sciences Schools ranking.
Full General Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - River Falls Report
National University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. National University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Jolla.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at National University are $13,320 a year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, National University also did well on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #12, East Los Angeles College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for general social sciences students. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the large suburb of Monterey Park.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at East Los Angeles College are $9,012 per year. Social Sciences majors at East Los Angeles College take out an average of $5,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Butte College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. Butte College is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Oroville.
Butte College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,848 in tuition and fees each year. On average, social sciences graduates from Butte College take out $10,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
Essex County College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for general social sciences students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the city of Newark, Essex is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Essex undergraduate students pay an average of $8,966 in tuition and fees each year. Social Sciences majors at Essex take out an average of $7,570 in student loans while working on their egree.
University of North Dakota ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UND are $15,037 a year. On average, social sciences graduates from UND take out $29,634 in student loans while working on their degree.
UND excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of North Dakota
Brandman University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Irvine, Brandman is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
Brandman undergraduate students pay an average of $12,480 in tuition and fees each year. Social Sciences majors at Brandman take out an average of $34,606 in student loans while working on their egree.
Brandman also claimed a spot on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Brandman University
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Southeast Missouri State University are $15,285 a year. On average, social sciences graduates from Southeast Missouri State University take out $33,079 in student loans while working on their degree.
Read full report on General Social Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a public school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Northern Virginia Community College are $11,648 a year. On average, social sciences graduates from Northern Virginia Community College take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, Northern Virginia Community College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
With a ranking of #20, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on this year’s best value schools for general social sciences students. UMN Morris is a small public school located in the remote town of Morris.
UMN Morris undergraduate students pay an average of $15,940 in tuition and fees each year.
UMN Morris also claimed a spot on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well on this year’s best value schools for general social sciences students. UW - Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the distant town of Menomonie.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Stout are $17,820 per year. The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at UW - Stout take out is $25,000.
UW - Stout excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value general social sciences programs. UW - Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater.
UW - Whitewater undergraduate students pay an average of $16,602 in tuition and fees each year.
UW - Whitewater excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best General Social Sciences Schools list.
Full General Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Report
Barstow Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value General Social Sciences Schools list. Barstow Community College is a small public school located in the town of Barstow.
Barstow Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,952 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, social sciences majors at Barstow Community College accumulate an average of around $6,559 in student debt.
University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for general social sciences students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the large city of Tampa, USF Tampa is a public school with a very large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at USF Tampa are $17,324 a year. After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from USF Tampa carry an average student debtload of $26,499. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $118, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Tulsa Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools ranking. Tulsa Community College is a large public school located in the large city of Tulsa.
Tulsa Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,845 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, social sciences majors at Tulsa Community College accumulate an average of around $15,423 in student debt.
Rest of the Top Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Additional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value General Social Sciences Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Coppin State University | Baltimore, MD |
| 29 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 30 | Thomas Nelson Community College | Hampton, VA |
| 31 | Brookdale Community College | Lincroft, NJ |
| 32 | Montclair State University | Montclair, NJ |
| 33 | Black Hills State University | Spearfish, SD |
| 34 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA |
| 35 | American River College | Sacramento, CA |
| 36 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI |
| 37 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI |
General Social Sciences by Region
View the Best Value General Social Sciences Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More General Social Sciences Rankings
Majors Related to Social Sciences
One of 12 majors within the area of study, general social sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Social Sciences
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Political Science & Government | 49,282 |
| Economics | 49,055 |
| Sociology | 38,475 |
| International Relations & National Security | 14,306 |
| Anthropology | 11,415 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Manfred Werner (Tsui).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.