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2027 Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

114 Colleges in the United States
17,188 Social Sciences Degrees Awarded
$42,793 Avg Early-Career Salary

Social Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 114 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for social sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Social Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall social sciences education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Social Sciences

1

Northwestern University tops our 2027 ranking of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 572 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $76,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,409 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 1,919 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Chicago earn around $78,184 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,370. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Chicago

3

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Notre Dame. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 359 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $65,455 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,617. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Notre Dame

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 1,116 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $58,904 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,734. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #5. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 1,633 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $58,228 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,295 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Wisconsin Madison

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 637 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $48,722 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,241. Get the full social sciences details for Purdue University Main Campus

7
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College landed the #7 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kenyon College awarded about 97 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Kenyon College earn around $49,741 in the first couple years of their career. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,569 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Kenyon College

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 780 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $49,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

9
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College came in at #9 for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 social sciences degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Calvin College earn around $43,746 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full social sciences program report for Calvin College

10

University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 18 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $56,998 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Wisconsin Platteville

11

Miami University Oxford placed #11 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 336 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $48,698 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,301 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Miami University Oxford

12

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 956 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,906 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,322 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Ohio State University Main Campus

13

University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #13 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Detroit Mercy awarded about 31 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,053. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Detroit Mercy

14

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 411 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $43,835 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,588 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Indiana University Bloomington

15
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University placed #15 among the best social sciences schools. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cedarville University awarded about 14 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,110. Get the full social sciences details for Cedarville University

16
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #16 among the best social sciences schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 817 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $46,889. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,871 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Michigan State University

17

University Of Dayton came in at #17 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 48 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $34,671. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Dayton

18
Saint Marys College crest
Saint Marys College
Notre Dame, IN

Saint Marys College placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 27 social sciences degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Saint Marys College earn around $48,274 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,938. More information about a degree in social sciences from Saint Marys College

19
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #19 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 183 social sciences degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $41,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,076. Get the full social sciences details for Marquette University

20

Loyola University Chicago placed #20 among the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 231 social sciences degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $35,287 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Loyola University Chicago

21

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #21 for social sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 276 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $49,088. Students borrow a median of $23,937 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

22
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University landed the #22 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. Denison University awarded about 125 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $51,429 in their early career. Denison University graduates carry a median of $24,150 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Denison University

23
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Upland. Taylor University graduates 74% of students within six years. Taylor University awarded about 19 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Taylor University earn around $45,090 in the first couple years of their career. Taylor University graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Taylor University

24
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University placed #24 among the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 3%. Franklin University awarded about 46 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $57,471 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890. See the full social sciences program report for Franklin University

25

North Park University came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. North Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 19 social sciences degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $51,611 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at North Park University

Rest of the Top 50 Social Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences ranking:

26
27
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
28
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
29
30
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI
31
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
32
33
34
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI
35
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
36
37
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN
38
39
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
40
41
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
42
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
43
44
45
46
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
47
48
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 114 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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