2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Social Sciences associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 540 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Santa Rosa Junior College this year in the United States. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public school based in Santa Rosa, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $14,692. Santa Rosa Junior College alumni report median earnings of $47,224 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt. Read the full report on Santa Rosa Junior College
You'll get strong value at Rose State College, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Midwest City, OK, Rose State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Rose State College General Social Sciences students take on a median of $13,451 in debt. Rose State College alumni report median earnings of $37,555 a decade after entry. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Rose State College
A rank of #3 makes Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Harrisburg, PA. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $23,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,007 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Los Angeles College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in Monterey Park, CA, East Los Angeles College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $5,500. East Los Angeles College alumni report median earnings of $42,006 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full East Los Angeles College report
You'll get strong value at Butte College, which ranked #5 this year. Butte College is a public school based in Oroville, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $9,036. Median earnings reach $41,810 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Butte College
Essex County College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Newark, NJ, Essex County College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Essex County College General Social Sciences students take on a median of $5,851 in debt. Median earnings reach $37,230 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $5,851 median debt. Get the full Essex County College report
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,557. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Read more about Northern Virginia Community College
Barstow Community College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Barstow, CA, Barstow Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,104, while out-of-state students pay about $9,744. Graduates carry a median of $5,588 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,104. That is a strong return on a $5,588 median debt. See the full Barstow Community College profile
Tulsa Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Tulsa Community College is a public school based in Tulsa, OK. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Graduates carry a median of $12,625 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,746 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Tulsa Community College
Tidewater Community College placed #10 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Tidewater Community College General Social Sciences students take on a median of $11,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $38,349 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Tidewater Community College report
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Hampton, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Thomas Nelson Community College General Social Sciences students take on a median of $10,500 in debt. Median earnings reach $37,996 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Get the full Thomas Nelson Community College report
Brookdale Community College placed #12 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lincroft, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,379 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Read more about Brookdale Community College
Antelope Valley College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lancaster, CA, Antelope Valley College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $12,711 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,526 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,711 median debt. Read more about Antelope Valley College
American River College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Sacramento, CA, American River College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. American River College alumni report median earnings of $40,162 a decade after entry. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full American River College report
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Evansville, IN, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. University Of Southern Indiana General Social Sciences students take on a median of $21,999 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,605 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana has an acceptance rate of 96%. More on University Of Southern Indiana
Mt San Jacinto Community College District placed #16 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in San Jacinto, CA, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,448, compared with $12,728 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Mt San Jacinto Community College District alumni report median earnings of $38,319 a decade after entry. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Suny Empire State College placed #17 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Saratoga Springs, NY, Suny Empire State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $23,693. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,080. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Suny Empire State College
Arizona Western College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. Set in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Arizona Western College alumni report median earnings of $36,857 a decade after entry. See the full Arizona Western College profile
Rogers State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Claremore, OK. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Graduates carry a median of $23,573 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Rogers State University report
Universidad Del Turabo placed #20 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Gurabo, PR, Universidad Del Turabo is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Universidad Del Turabo General Social Sciences students take on a median of $14,155 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $26,223 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,155 median debt. Read the full report on Universidad Del Turabo
Boise State University placed #21 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Boise State University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,658 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants. Read more about Boise State University
Missouri Southern State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. Get the full Missouri Southern State University report
Saddleback College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Saddleback College
Clarkson University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Clarkson University report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Lindsey Wilson College placed #26 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Lindsey Wilson College report
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Southwestern Michigan College
Eastern Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
Franklin University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Franklin University report
Modesto Junior College landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Modesto Junior College
New England College placed #31 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. See the full New England College profile
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Great Valley report
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Akron Main Campus
University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Hawaii West Oahu profile
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Patrick Henry Community College
University Of Oregon ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. Read more about University Of Oregon
Youngstown State University placed #38 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Youngstown State University
Canisius College
Canisius College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Canisius College
Michigan Technological University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Michigan Technological University
Vanderbilt University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Florida Southern College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Florida Southern College
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #43 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full The University Of Texas At Tyler report
Depaul University offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Depaul University
Portland State University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. More on Portland State University
Westfield State University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Westfield State University report
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
Bard College
Bard College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Bard College profile
California State University Stanislaus came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full California State University Stanislaus report
Cuny Queens College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Related General Social Sciences Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value General Social Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Social Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Social Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Social Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 540 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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