2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Social Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Dearborn the best value for a degree in general social sciences in the Great Lakes Region. 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. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $38,850 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $38,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for general social sciences. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,245. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $42,357. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,306. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,648. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes Grand Valley State University one of the best values for general social sciences. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,400 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $43,217. Set against $27,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $53,788. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Shawnee State University came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,233. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $42,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,873. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $52,274. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #11 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $29,198 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $46,206 early in their careers. Set against $29,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central College placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,699. General Social Sciences graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
[General Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
