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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

29 Ranked Colleges
699 Degrees Awarded
$20,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 205,726 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 Plains States region, there were 9,393 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,924 and $24,385 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 699 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 29 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. 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 Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Washington University in St Louis

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#3 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UMN Twin Cities Social Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Missouri - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Mizzou

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State University are $25,948, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Iowa State University

#5

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 24 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Missouri - St Louis

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 5 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University are $11,589.

Read full report on Social Sciences at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

#7

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri
#8 in overall quality

Lindenwood University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Lindenwood University

#8

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #0 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Northern Iowa

#14 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Minnesota State Mankato is located in Mankato, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Minnesota State Mankato did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Social Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwest Missouri State University are $6,673.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northwest

#19 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNOMAHA are $16,374.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#12

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #12, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at St. Cloud State University

#15 in overall quality

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UNL also took the #15 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Social Sciences Report

#14

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#21 in overall quality

University of North Dakota landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326.

Full University of North Dakota Social Sciences Report

#15

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
#4 in overall quality

University of Iowa came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 13 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Iowa Social Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri State is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Missouri State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Missouri State

#17

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#24 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 11 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wichita State University are $15,112, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wichita State University

#18

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#16 in overall quality

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 21 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State are $16,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at South Dakota State

#19

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#22 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 17 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#20

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCM is a medium-sized public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 4 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCM are $16,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Central Missouri

#21

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#20 in overall quality

Kansas State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kansas State University is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at K -State are $24,115, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at K -State

#22

Bellevue University

Bellevue, Nebraska
#12 in overall quality

Bellevue University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bellevue University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Bellevue, Nebraska. It awarded 96 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bellevue University has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bellevue University are $11,385.

Full Bellevue University Social Sciences Report

#23

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Saint Louis University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SLU is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 44 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SLU also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074.

Read more about Social Sciences at SLU

#24

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#10 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 25 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at KU

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 23 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are $10,260.

Full SMU MN Social Sciences Report

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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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