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2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

91 Ranked Colleges
22,158 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 205,984 social sciences students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 22,158 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,460 and $24,793 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 91 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the social sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 663 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northwestern University

2
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 91 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,278 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $8,375 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Social Sciences at UChicago

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,247 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, U-M has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $10,481 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Michigan - Ann Arbor

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $8,450 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Purdue

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,846 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $10,364 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

6
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 552 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Notre Dame is $14,020 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Social Sciences at Notre Dame

7

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 973 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $11,505 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 94%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UIUC

8

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 532 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $12,369 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Social Sciences at IU Bloomington

9

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 1,219 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $13,273 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

10
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

Kenyon College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Gambier, Ohio, and it awarded 78 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kenyon, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kenyon is $20,727 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Kenyon Social Sciences Report

11
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Beloit College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Beloit is a private not-for-profit institution located in Beloit, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Beloit College is $10,850 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad 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 impressive undergraduate 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full Beloit Social Sciences Report

12

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 349 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UIC also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $14,105 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago

13

University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is located in River Falls, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,528 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The low undergrad 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 University of Wisconsin - River Falls Social Sciences Report

14

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 172 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $13,198 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UW - La Crosse

15
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,008 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Oakland.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Oakland University Social Sciences Report

16
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

With a ranking of #16, DePauw University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. DePauw is a private not-for-profit institution located in Greencastle, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 134 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

DePauw also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePauw University is $22,316 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 1.0% 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 DePauw University

17

With a ranking of #17, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 139 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Social Sciences Report

18

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 160 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,499 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SIUC.

Read more about Social Sciences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

19

University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 136 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $12,398 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 UM Dearborn

20
Wabash crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, Indiana

With a ranking of #20, Wabash College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wabash College is a small school located in Crawfordsville, Indiana that handed out 41 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,742 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wabash College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Sciences at Wabash

21

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a public institution located in Whitewater, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 245 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,226 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

22
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #22, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 217 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $13,612 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wayne State University

23

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 137 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $13,560 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Social Sciences Report

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Springfield is $11,492 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Social Sciences Report

25

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Eau Claire, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 170 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,737 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

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