2026 Best Value Other Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Other Social Sciences master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 153 institutions 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Other Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Columbus State University, our #1 best-value Other Social Sciences school in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $28,493 in student loans. Columbus State University alumni report median earnings of $44,544 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%. See the full Columbus State University profile
Out of the 153 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Azusa Pacific University landed the #2 spot. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Azusa, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical Other Social Sciences student debt is $23,709. Median earnings reach $66,677 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. Azusa Pacific University has an acceptance rate of 88%. See the full Azusa Pacific University profile
You'll get strong value at Coppin State University, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Baltimore, MD, Coppin State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Graduates carry a median of $33,355 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. See the full Coppin State University profile
You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. The median Other Social Sciences program debt is $26,657. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee alumni report median earnings of $54,990 a decade after entry. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cornell University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants. Read more about Cornell University
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Other Social Sciences program debt is $16,097. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,511. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical Other Social Sciences student debt is $23,783. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Clemson University
George Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Other Social Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,873 ten years after entry. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University has an acceptance rate of 47%. Get the full George Washington University report
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical Other Social Sciences student debt is $17,600. Median earnings reach $52,234 ten years out. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 75%. Read the full report on Northeastern Illinois University
Capella University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Capella University Other Social Sciences students take on a median of $35,998 in debt. Median earnings reach $42,189 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt. Read the full report on Capella University
Suny Empire State College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Saratoga Springs, NY, Suny Empire State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete their Other Social Sciences program here. Suny Empire State College alumni report median earnings of $54,080 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt. Read the full report on Suny Empire State College
Eastern Washington University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical Other Social Sciences student debt is $21,754. Median earnings reach $57,897 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read more about Eastern Washington University
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbia, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical Other Social Sciences student debt is $24,472. Median earnings reach $62,177 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of South Carolina Columbia
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,409. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
New York University placed #15 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Other Social Sciences students take on a median of $20,188 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read more about New York University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Other Social Sciences program here. Columbia University In The City Of New York alumni report median earnings of $102,491 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Georgia Southern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. This public school is set in Statesboro, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Georgia Southern University Other Social Sciences students take on a median of $26,500 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $53,236 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on Georgia Southern University
Clark University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Worcester, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. The median Other Social Sciences program debt is $25,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,381. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 40% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Clark University profile
City College Of San Francisco ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Read more about City College Of San Francisco
University Of California San Diego placed #20 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about University Of California San Diego
University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Arecibo report
University Of Rochester came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Rochester
Loyola University Baltimore ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Get the full Loyola University Baltimore report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. More on University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
Dominican University Of California offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Dominican University Of California profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Other Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Hamline University landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Hamline University
Indiana Wesleyan University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Indiana Wesleyan University report
Plymouth State University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Plymouth State University
Elmira College
Elmira College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Elmira College
Mott Community College placed #30 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. More on Mott Community College
University Of California Irvine offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #32 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Evangel University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Evangel University
Suny At Binghamton ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Read the full report on Suny At Binghamton
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #35 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio report
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
San Bernardino Valley College placed #37 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full San Bernardino Valley College report
Boston University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Boston University profile
University Of California Riverside came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of California Riverside report
Michigan State University placed #40 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. More on Michigan State University
Georgia State University placed #41 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Georgia State University
Northwestern University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Other Social Sciences schools. Get the full Northwestern University report
American University placed #43 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full American University report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Midland University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read the full report on Midland University
Benedictine University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. See the full Benedictine University profile
Brown University
Brown University landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Brown University
Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Humphreys College Stockton And Modesto Campuses report
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #49 among the best-value Other Social Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Pittsburgh Bradford
The University Of West Florida came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on The University Of West Florida
Related Other Social Sciences Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Other Social Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 153 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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