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2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

58 Ranked Colleges
8,884 Degrees Awarded
$10,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 205,984 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,262 and had an average of $23,306 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 8,884 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,904 and $24,673 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 58 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

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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 Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 375 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 1.1% 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 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Sciences at Washington University in St Louis

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 1,180 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 93%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

3
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carleton College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 86 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carleton, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $6,208 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carleton College.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 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 Social Sciences at Carleton College

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Morris is located in Morris, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $3,941 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UMN Morris

5

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 151 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Social Sciences Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 192 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $9,766 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Iowa State

7
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 131 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $13,926 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Macalester.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Macalester College Social Sciences Report

8
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Grinnell, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 119 students in 2020-2021.

Grinnell also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $12,835 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grinnell.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 Grinnell Social Sciences Report

9

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 365 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 89%.

Full Mizzou Social Sciences Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 209 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $9,991 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Missouri - St Louis

11
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St. Olaf is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 162 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for St Olaf College is $11,112 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at St Olaf College

12
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

With a ranking of #12, University of Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 495 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 Social Sciences at University of Iowa

13

University of Northern Iowa came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 155 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $10,513 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UNI

14
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #14, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Truman State University is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,208 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Truman State University.

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 88%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Truman State University

15
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

With a ranking of #15, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 113 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $12,394 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of North Dakota

16

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 199 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $11,672 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Social Sciences Report

17

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 65 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Social Sciences at North Dakota State University

18
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

With a ranking of #18, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 312 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend KU is $15,666 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at KU

19

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Missouri State is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 259 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,381 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Missouri State.

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%.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Social Sciences Report

20

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 135 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $10,578 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Nebraska at Omaha

21

With a ranking of #21, Northwest Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 68 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $9,906 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University

22
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

Park University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Parkville, Missouri, and it awarded 53 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Park University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Park University is $13,020 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Park University Social Sciences Report

23
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 125 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,348 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 Social Sciences at Saint Cloud State University

24

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 111 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $11,692 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Minnesota State Mankato

25
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gustavus Adolphus is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 65 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $15,735 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, 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 88%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College

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