2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Social Sciences master’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. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Bellevue University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Based in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $34,734 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,289 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Bellevue University
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #2 on this year's best-value General Social Sciences ranking in the United States. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public school based in Charleston, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, while out-of-state students pay about $38,508. Graduates carry a median of $24,305 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,085. That is a strong return on a $24,305 median debt. The acceptance rate is 23%. Read more about Citadel Military College Of South Carolina
A rank of #3 makes Mercer University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Macon, GA, Mercer University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Students borrow a median of $47,010 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,354. Set against $47,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. More on Mercer University
A rank of #4 makes Montclair State University one of the best values in the United States. Montclair State University is a public school based in Montclair, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,415. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on Montclair State University
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #5 on this year's best-value General Social Sciences ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,581. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. See the full Ohio University Main Campus profile
Towson University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $20,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,390. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Towson University profile
Troy University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Troy, AL, Troy University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,125 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,062. That is a strong return on a $28,125 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants. Get the full Troy University report
California State University Chico ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. California State University Chico is a public school based in Chico, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. California State University Chico alumni report median earnings of $64,172 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Get the full California State University Chico report
Johns Hopkins University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $13,426. Median earnings reach $87,555 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
California State University San Bernardino ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in San Bernardino, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. California State University San Bernardino alumni report median earnings of $59,977 a decade after entry. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. See the full California State University San Bernardino profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $70,783 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Saint Louis University Main Campus report
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #13 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. The median General Social Sciences program debt is $20,531. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,227. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. See the full The University Of Texas At Dallas profile
University Of Colorado Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $64,270 ten years out. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
Humboldt State University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Humboldt State University is a public school based in Arcata, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. Median earnings reach $47,626 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Humboldt State University has an acceptance rate of 98%. Read the full report on Humboldt State University
Harvard University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Students borrow a median of $19,937 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $101,817 ten years after entry. Set against $19,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%. Read the full report on Harvard University
Eastern Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in Ypsilanti, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $28,781. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 80%. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
Michigan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $29,198. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants. Get the full Michigan State University report
Arizona State University placed #20 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University General Social Sciences students take on a median of $21,842 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%. Get the full Arizona State University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their General Social Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Typical General Social Sciences student debt is $26,824. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,349. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University has an acceptance rate of 21%. Read more about Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
Southern University And A And M College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Southern University And A And M College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,922, with out-of-state students paying around $17,272. Graduates carry a median of $33,288 in student loans. Median earnings reach $43,371 ten years out. Set against $33,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern University And A And M College has an acceptance rate of 35%. Get the full Southern University And A And M College report
University Of Chicago placed #24 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. University Of Chicago General Social Sciences students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. University Of Chicago alumni report median earnings of $91,885 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. More on University Of Chicago
Bluefield College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Bluefield College
Suny At Binghamton came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Suny At Binghamton
Western Oregon University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. See the full Western Oregon University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Athens State University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Athens State University
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #28 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Middlesex Community College Bedford report
Minot State University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Minot State University
Agnes Scott College placed #30 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Agnes Scott College
Belhaven University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on Belhaven University
California State University San Marcos placed #32 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on California State University San Marcos
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College report
Portland State University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Portland State University profile
Robert Morris University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Robert Morris University report
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. Get the full Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania report
Stevens Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Stevens Institute Of Technology
University Of Rochester landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Rochester
Excelsior College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Excelsior College
University Of The Pacific placed #40 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full University Of The Pacific report
Miami University Hamilton placed #41 among the best-value General Social Sciences schools in the United States. More on Miami University Hamilton
Montgomery County Community College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Montgomery County Community College
Western Nebraska Community College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Western Nebraska Community College
Wilson College
Wilson College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. More on Wilson College
City College Of San Francisco came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on City College Of San Francisco
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Social Sciences schools. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Lee College
Lee College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Lee College
Oregon State University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Oregon State University
San Bernardino Valley College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full San Bernardino Valley College report
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 Associate’s 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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