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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

21 Ranked Colleges
568 Degrees Awarded
$18,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Social Sciences is the 54th most popular major in the country with 18,997 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for General Social Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

1
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 131 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $19,058 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Michigan State University

2

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 9 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend UW - River Falls.

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%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls General Social Sciences Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Dearborn. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 20 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn also made our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $12,855 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn General Social Sciences Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,878 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, 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 96%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at U-M

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, Ohio State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $16,845 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

6

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.

Read more about General Social Sciences at UW - Whitewater

7

University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. UW - Stout is a medium-sized school located in Menomonie, Wisconsin that handed out 20 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, UW - Stout has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,589 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout.

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%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stout General Social Sciences Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Indiana University - Southeast did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. New Albany, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

Indiana University - Southeast not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Southeast is $11,446 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Indiana University - Southeast

9
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

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. It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Eastern Michigan University

10

Grand Valley State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, GVSU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $17,356 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

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 more about General Social Sciences at Grand Valley State University

11

Cleveland State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

Cleveland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,943 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Cleveland State University.

Read more about General Social Sciences at Cleveland State University

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Southern Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Evansville, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

USI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,481 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Southern Indiana.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at USI

13
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $23,279 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University General Social Sciences Report

14
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 185 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $28,517 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend UChicago.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of Chicago

15
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $16,007 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 Central Michigan General Social Sciences Report

16
Shawnee State University crest
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio

Shawnee State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

Shawnee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,260 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Shawnee State University.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Shawnee State University

17

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, University of Akron Main Campus has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $17,945 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

18

Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. OHIO Athens is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 18 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

OHIO Athens also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.

Full OHIO Athens General Social Sciences Report

19
North Central crest
North Central College
Naperville, Illinois

North Central College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Naperville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

North Central not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Central is $25,199 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

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 North Central College

20
Roosevelt crest
Roosevelt University
Chicago, Illinois

Roosevelt University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, Roosevelt has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt University is $21,678 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on General Social Sciences at Roosevelt University

21
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Denison University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Granville, Ohio. It awarded 5 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Denison, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Denison is $29,597 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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 University

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