2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Michigan
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for social sciences in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,057. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $27,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Flint one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $41,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,734 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $58,904. Set against $17,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $28,866 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,716. Set against $28,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,681. Social Sciences graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,873. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,543. That is a strong return on a $25,873 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,053. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $32,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Albion College landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $45,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,284 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,142. That is a strong return on a $28,284 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $35,799. That is a strong return on a $25,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,241 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $31,339. Set against $27,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Central Michigan University earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $28,326 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $35,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kalamazoo College came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,716. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,378. That is a strong return on a $26,716 median debt. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,871. Social Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $46,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,871 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Alma College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,552. Students borrow a median of $27,248 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,740. Set against $27,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Calvin College placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $43,746. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,495 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Hope College earn a median of $31,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,495 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More Social Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
