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Best Value Social Sciences Colleges in Pennsylvania

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Pennsylvania's Social Sciences, Other programs reveal a $15,866 cost gap that challenges traditional value assumptions. University of Pittsburgh-Bradford delivers the lowest net price at $16,630 while graduates from Indiana University of Pennsylvania earn $41,937 annually, the highest in the state. This earning potential aligns well with Pennsylvania's healthcare and finance sectors, where UPMC and major pharmaceutical companies actively recruit social science graduates for research, policy analysis, and community outreach roles. The 13 programs span from highly selective institutions like Carnegie Mellon with 11.30% acceptance to more accessible options exceeding 90% acceptance rates.
13
Programs
$16,630 – $32,496
Net Price Range
$33,667
Avg. Program Earnings
71.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Social Sciences, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $17,216 $41,937 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
2 $16,630 $33,993 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
3 $21,461 $32,711 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
4 $20,231 $29,685 $12,262 54.4% 92.4%
5 $30,074 $33,993 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
6 $32,496 $29,685 $62,574 88.1% 33.6%
7 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
8 $30,086 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
9 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
10 $20,748 $26,156 55.6% 86.0%
11 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
12 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
13 $30,485 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide graduation rate differences among Pennsylvania's social sciences programs?

Graduation rates range from 41.20% at Keystone College to 96.80% at University of Pennsylvania. Highly selective private institutions typically maintain graduation rates above 80%, while regional public universities average around 50% due to different student populations and support structures.

How do public university costs compare to private options for social sciences majors?

Public universities average $18,526 in net costs compared to $26,662 at private institutions. However, top private colleges like Swarthmore offer net prices of $18,686 despite $62,412 sticker prices through substantial financial aid packages.

Is the earning potential worth the investment for Pennsylvania social sciences graduates?

Graduates earn between $29,685 and $41,937 annually, with Indiana University of Pennsylvania leading despite moderate costs. Pennsylvania's healthcare sector, including UPMC, provides strong career pathways that justify the investment for most programs.

Where can students find the most accessible admission rates for social sciences programs?

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford accepts 93.55% of applicants with competitive net costs at $16,630. Indiana University of Pennsylvania also maintains high accessibility at 91.94% acceptance while offering the state's highest graduate earnings.

More Social Sciences, Other Rankings

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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.