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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. 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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great 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 social sciences program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 47 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Social Sciences Report

#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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Chicago

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 55 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #4 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 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Social Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - Madison Social Sciences Report

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 21 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Notre Dame

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 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.

Read more about Social Sciences at IU Bloomington

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Purdue 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Purdue has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Purdue

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 more about Social Sciences at UIUC

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Ohio State 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 $30-$48k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Ohio State

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UIC

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Read full report on Social Sciences at IUPUI

#12

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

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

Read more about Social Sciences at Michigan State University

#16 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SIUC 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUC has also earned the #16 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full SIUC Social Sciences Report

#10 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Case Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, 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 $30-$48k list. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northern Illinois University

#16

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Indiana State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Indiana State

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wayne State University

#18

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#18 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 doctorate’s social sciences 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UWM Social Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823.

Read more about Social Sciences at BGSU

#20

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WMU is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, WMU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Western Michigan University

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kent State University at Kent Social Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #17 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 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Read full report on 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Toledo is a fairly large school located in Toledo, Ohio that handed out 3 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 $30-$48k list, University of Toledo has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Toledo Social Sciences Report

#24

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees 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.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cleveland State University

#21 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students 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 full report on 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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