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2023 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

91 Ranked Colleges
22,158 Degrees Awarded
$18,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” 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 Great Lakes region, there were 22,158 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,460 and $24,793 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 91 colleges that offer a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 91 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 663 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. The undergraduate 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.

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 $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1,278 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,895 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UChicago.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UChicago

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 1,247 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k 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 U-M is $17,207 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Beloit College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Beloit, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 70 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,822 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Beloit College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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%. The undergraduate 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 more about Social Sciences at Beloit College

5
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 552 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,969 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Notre Dame.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 University of Notre Dame

6

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 1,846 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students 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. It costs about $22,377 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

7
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 491 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,124 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at Purdue

8

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 973 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $22,400 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

9

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 532 students 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. It costs about $20,234 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend IU Bloomington.

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 Indiana University - Bloomington

10

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW - 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 $75-$110k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $16,739 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

Full UW - River Falls Social Sciences Report

11

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 1,219 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Ohio State Social Sciences Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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 estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Social Sciences at UW - La Crosse

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 137 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $16,503 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at UW - Stevens Point

14

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 245 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,253 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

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

15

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 349 students in 2020-2021.

UIC also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $19,839 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 University of Illinois at Chicago

16

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UM Dearborn is a medium-sized school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 136 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $17,197 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on Social Sciences at University of Michigan - Dearborn

17

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is a medium-sized public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 66 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $16,382 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UW - Green Bay Social Sciences Report

18

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k 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.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $18,816 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UW - Eau Claire

19
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland is $16,142 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Oakland

20
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Greencastle, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 134 students in 2020-2021.

DePauw also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $23,092 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend DePauw University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Sciences at DePauw University

21
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 196 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana State University is $19,566 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Indiana State

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 $75-$110k list. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 217 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $17,814 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Wayne State University.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wayne State

23
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 235 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $18,563 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Eastern Michigan Social Sciences Report

24

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and it awarded 132 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW Oshkosh is $17,169 for great lakes region social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at UW Oshkosh

25
Wabash crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, Indiana

Wabash College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #25. Wabash is a private not-for-profit institution located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $22,259 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k 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.

Full Wabash College Social Sciences Report

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