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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

34 Ranked Colleges
4,783 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor's in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $34,801 and had an average of $23,466 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 5,941 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,078 and $23,135 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,783 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,319 and $24,183 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 34 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

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 for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 555 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $16,784 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 low student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Northwestern Social Sciences Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 603 bachelors’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,929 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Chicago.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 University of Chicago

#21 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $17,342 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at UIS

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 867 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIUC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $21,998 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 206 degrees to qualified bachelors’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $21,425 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northern Illinois University

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Saint Xavier University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SXU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 24 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, SXU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,457 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Full Saint Xavier University Social Sciences Report

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 72 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $19,147 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at EIU

#8

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 120 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $24,299 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. 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 full report on Social Sciences at Wheaton College Illinois

#11 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 290 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $20,270 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Full UIC Social Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 126 bachelors’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, SIUE has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $18,928 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full SIUE Social Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 137 bachelors’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,698 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SIUC.

Read more about Social Sciences at SIUC

#12

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s social sciences degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $21,269 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend NLU.

Read more about Social Sciences at National Louis University

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #13. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 52 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $20,181 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Western Illinois University

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Dominican U is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 83 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $21,979 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#15

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

University of St Francis came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of St Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 7 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $20,629 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Social Sciences Report

#16

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Illinois State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 257 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $25,379 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Illinois State University

#17

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 16 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,820 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Concordia University, Chicago

#18

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, McKendree University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. McKendree is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 50 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

McKendree not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend McKendree is $23,434 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full McKendree University Social Sciences Report

#19

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Millikin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This small school is located in Decatur, Illinois, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $23,486 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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.

Full Millikin University Social Sciences Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 72 bachelors’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $22,526 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University

#21

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Knox College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s social sciences degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

Knox also made our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Knox College is $23,813 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%. 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.

Read more about Social Sciences at Knox

#22

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Augustana College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 bachelors’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $23,730 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Augustana College

#23

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $19,711 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Illinois College

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene is $21,306 for illinois bachelor’s degree social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 Olivet Nazarene University Social Sciences Report

#25

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Bachelor’s in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s social sciences degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elmhurst, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $23,604 for Illinois Bachelor’s Degree Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Elmhurst.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Elmhurst University

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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