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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

26 Ranked Colleges
582 Degrees Awarded
$31,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 205,726 social sciences students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 22,091 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,186 and $24,310 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 582 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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 social sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 71 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Chicago

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 55 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at U-M

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 69 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UIUC

#6

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 21 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Social Sciences at Notre Dame

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 50 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IU Bloomington Social Sciences Report

#8

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Michigan State University

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 40 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Ohio State

#21 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 1 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #21 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Social Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 25 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UIC

#16 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at SIUC

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northern Illinois University

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UWM

#10 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958.

Full Case Western Social Sciences Report

#17

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indiana State University is a fairly large public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It awarded 1 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Indiana State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana State University Social Sciences Report

#18

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State Social Sciences Report

#19

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WMU Social Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BGSU is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

BGSU also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 12 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.

Full Kent State Social Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at UC

#23

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#23 in overall quality

University of Toledo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Toledo is located in Toledo, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

University of Toledo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Toledo

#24

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622.

Full Cleveland State University Social Sciences Report

#21 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus also took the #21 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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