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Social Sciences Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Social Sciences, General programs span an extraordinary cost range, from Oglala Lakota College's $2,065 net price to institutions charging nearly four times that amount. The most striking pattern emerges in graduate earnings, where UT Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $42,682 annually compared to $32,925 at Cal State Stanislaus, despite similar program costs around $6,000. California dominates the affordable market with three Cal State campuses offering strong value propositions and acceptance rates above 86%. The social sciences field connects directly to America's growing need for policy analysts, social workers, and community organizers, with federal agencies like HUD and state governments actively recruiting graduates. Regional differences matter significantly in this field, as Texas border universities like TAMIU serve unique bilingual markets while Alaska Southeast prepares students for indigenous community work. Public institutions clearly provide the best value, with most programs under $8,000 annually, though graduation rates vary dramatically from 11.5% to 58% depending on institutional support systems.
50
Programs
$2,065 – $11,580
Net Price Range
$33,185
Avg. Program Earnings
43.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Social Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,065 $2,684 11.5%
2 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
3 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
6 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
7 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
8 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
9 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
10 $6,608 $10,646 46.4% 80.0%
11 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
12 $7,233 $6,960 31.0% 62.7%
13 $7,523 $3,855 51.5%
14 $7,557 $7,922 26.1%
15 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
16 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
17 $7,912 $7,868 34.9%
18 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
19 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
20 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
21 $8,751 $13,840 27.0% 78.8%
22 $8,900 $9,214 27.1% 91.5%
23 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
24 $8,992 $12,076 24.7% 99.6%
25 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
26 $9,148 $5,354 48.6% 49.3%
27 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
28 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
29 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
30 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
31 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
32 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
33 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
34 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
35 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
36 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
37 $10,666 $7,584 46.8% 96.4%
38 $10,865 $9,045 39.8% 99.2%
39 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
40 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
41 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
42 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
43 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
44 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
45 $11,081 $14,304 13.2% 43.4%
46 $11,147 $7,630 29.3%
47 $11,180 $11,656 49.8% 75.6%
48 $11,353 $8,618 23.3%
49 $11,401 $8,280 37.7%
50 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge gap between Oglala Lakota College's 11.5% graduation rate and Cal State Stanislaus's 58% rate?

These institutions serve completely different student populations and face distinct challenges. Oglala Lakota College serves a predominantly Native American student body on a reservation with limited resources, while Cal State Stanislaus operates in California's Central Valley with more infrastructure support. The $3,606 net price difference also reflects varying levels of state funding and endowment resources. Both schools provide valuable community connections, but institutional capacity affects completion rates significantly.

How do earnings compare between Texas border schools and California state universities?

UT Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $42,682 annually, the highest among affordable programs, likely reflecting the school's bilingual business environment and proximity to international trade. Cal State San Bernardino graduates earn $33,993, about $8,700 less despite serving the Los Angeles metropolitan area. This gap suggests that specialized regional skills, particularly bilingual capabilities and cross-border business knowledge, command premium salaries in social sciences careers.

Is the acceptance rate at Eastern New Mexico University unusually low for an affordable program?

Eastern New Mexico's 27.55% acceptance rate stands out dramatically among these affordable options, where most schools accept 80% or more applicants. This selectivity, combined with a $6,199 net price and 39.8% graduation rate, suggests the university maintains higher admission standards than typical regional institutions. The low acceptance rate may reflect limited capacity rather than academic prestige, as many rural universities face enrollment management challenges.

Does student debt vary significantly among these affordable Social Sciences programs?

Available debt data shows Cal State Stanislaus graduates carry $14,752 in debt while UT Rio Grande Valley students graduate with $17,500, a difference of $2,748. Both figures remain well below national averages for bachelor's degrees. The debt-to-earnings ratios favor Cal State Stanislaus slightly, but UT Rio Grande Valley's higher graduate salaries offset the additional borrowing within two years of employment.

Where do Social Sciences graduates find the best job markets relative to program costs?

Texas border regions offer the strongest earning potential, with UT Rio Grande Valley graduates earning $42,682 annually for a $6,500 program investment. California's Central Valley provides solid middle-ground opportunities, with Cal State Stanislaus graduates earning $32,925 for $5,671 in costs. Geographic location matters enormously in social sciences, as government agencies, nonprofits, and social service organizations cluster around urban centers and specialized regional needs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.