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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

35 Ranked Colleges
5,941 Degrees Awarded
$13,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 Illinois, there were 5,941 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,078 and $23,135 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 666 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $3,995 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The 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 Northwestern University

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 1,133 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,800 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a 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 impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Chicago Social Sciences Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 1,012 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $8,464 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 full report on Social Sciences at UIUC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $8,323 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Springfield

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 136 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $9,938 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Sciences at SIUE

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 344 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,185 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Illinois at Chicago

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. SXU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,962 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Read full report on Social Sciences at SXU

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 103 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,316 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend EIU.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Eastern Illinois University

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 226 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,861 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at NIU

#10

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 48 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Knox, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Knox is $19,186 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Sciences at Knox College

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 170 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $14,306 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Sciences at SIUC

#12

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 292 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $14,999 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Illinois State Social Sciences Report

#13

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Saint Francis is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Joliet, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis is $11,229 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of St Francis

#14

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 122 students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $16,212 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Social Sciences Report

#15

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 27 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $12,454 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Illinois College

#16

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #16, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 84 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $14,526 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Sciences at WIU

#17

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lake Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 71 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lake Forest has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,152 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Forest.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Lake Forest Social Sciences Report

#18

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 83 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $17,586 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Dominican University

#19

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. National Louis University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 29 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for National Louis University is $14,403 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full National Louis University Social Sciences Report

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 79 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University

#21

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,837 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elmhurst University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%.

Full Elmhurst Social Sciences Report

#22

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 42 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bradley has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $18,232 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bradley University Social Sciences Report

#23

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomington, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan also took the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,857 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Illinois Wesleyan University

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and it awarded 47 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $15,390 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Olivet Nazarene

#25

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Augustana College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 71 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Augustana has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $16,249 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Augustana College Social Sciences Report

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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