College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

21 Ranked Colleges
568 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 18,997 people earned their degree in general social sciences, making the major the 54th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $32,991 and had an average of $24,438 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 568 general social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,813 and $28,816 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in general social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general social sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general social sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Social Sciences Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Social Sciences Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The social sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $8,375 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at UChicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Northwestern has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Northwestern

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 9 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $10,481 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor General Social Sciences Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Ohio State

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UW - River Falls is a public institution located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - River Falls is $14,528 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

6

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UM Dearborn is $12,398 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UM Dearborn General Social Sciences Report

7
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #7, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 131 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $20,557 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Michigan State

8

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #9 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $15,277 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Grand Valley State University

9

University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

UW - Stout also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,247 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Stout

10

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 2 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Whitewater has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,226 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UW - Whitewater General Social Sciences Report

11
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Michigan is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $14,547 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Eastern Michigan

12

Indiana University - Southeast did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Indiana University - Southeast is a public institution located in New Albany, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Indiana University - Southeast also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Southeast is $12,931 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Indiana University - Southeast General Social Sciences Report

13

University of Southern Indiana landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

USI also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern Indiana is $14,486 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Social Sciences at University of Southern Indiana

14
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan is $15,720 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Central Michigan University

15

With a ranking of #15, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cleveland State University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland State University is $18,468 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Cleveland State University

16
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

Denison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Granville, Ohio, and it awarded 5 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Denison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Denison University is $18,607 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Denison

17
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, North Central College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. North Central College is located in Naperville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

North Central also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $21,783 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Central College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at North Central

18

With a ranking of #18, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

OHIO Athens not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for OHIO Athens is $23,509 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Social Sciences at OHIO Athens

19

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 3 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $18,860 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Social Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

20
Shawnee State University crest
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio

Shawnee State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Portsmouth, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Shawnee State University has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Shawnee State University is $11,104 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Shawnee State University

21
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Roosevelt University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Roosevelt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt is $21,280 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Roosevelt General Social Sciences Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options