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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

57 Ranked Colleges
8,884 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States 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. 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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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

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

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality social sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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

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

1

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 375 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $8,149 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full WUSTL Social Sciences Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 1,180 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $12,911 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

3
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Grinnell College landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Grinnell, Iowa, and it awarded 119 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grinnell, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,112 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Grinnell College.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Grinnell

4

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Morris is located in Morris, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $6,691 for plains states 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Minnesota - Morris

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - St Louis. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 209 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,291 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

6

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 365 students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Columbia is $13,715 for Plains States 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 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Mizzou

7
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Carleton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 86 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Carleton has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,991 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Carleton.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Carleton College

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 151 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth also took the #18 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,364 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UMN Duluth

9

With a ranking of #9, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 192 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,641 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa State.

The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at Iowa State

10
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. St. Olaf is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 162 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

St. Olaf also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $15,453 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at St. Olaf

11
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 77 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,654 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Social Sciences at Truman State University

12

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwest is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $12,127 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northwest

13
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 113 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,818 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UND Social Sciences Report

14
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 495 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Iowa is $18,026 for plains states 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 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Iowa

15

University of Northern Iowa came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 155 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,287 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNI.

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

Full UNI Social Sciences Report

16

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 199 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,394 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNL.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

17
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 312 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

KU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,586 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Kansas.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Kansas

18
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Bellevue, Nebraska, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 249 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Bellevue University has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bellevue University is $14,728 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Bellevue University

19

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. UNOMAHA is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 135 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNOMAHA is $13,574 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UNOMAHA

20
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Peter, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,188 for Plains States Region Social Sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College

21

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,071 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at North Dakota State University

22
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 125 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $13,140 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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

23

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 259 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $15,950 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State.

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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Missouri State University - Springfield

24

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 180 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,768 for plains states region social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC Social Sciences Report

25
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. K -State is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 286 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $16,868 for Plains States 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 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at K -State

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