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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

50 Ranked Colleges
2,057 Degrees Awarded
$30,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 205,726 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 22,091 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,186 and $24,310 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,057 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 50 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 64 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 383 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UChicago Social Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 91 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 50 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Notre Dame Social Sciences Report

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 34 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, Purdue has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

#4 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 238 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Social Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIUC Social Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#9

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #12 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Social Sciences Report

#10

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Social Sciences Report

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 10 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at SIUE

#12

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Wheaton College Illinois

#15 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago

#14

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 30 degrees to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at EIU

#15

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

Whitewater, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Whitewater are $19,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UW - Whitewater

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 24 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Social Sciences Report

#17

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

University of Detroit Mercy did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. University of Detroit Mercy is a small school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 18 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Detroit Mercy also took the #19 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Detroit Mercy are $20,047.

Full University of Detroit Mercy Social Sciences Report

#18

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#21 in overall quality

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Ball State University is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 17 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ball State Social Sciences Report

#19

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 16 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Illinois University Social Sciences Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read more about Social Sciences at SIUC

#8 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University

#22

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s social sciences degrees to 46 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wayne State

#23

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#23 in overall quality

Indiana State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indiana State is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Indiana State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Indiana State

University of Michigan - Flint came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Michigan - Flint is a public institution located in Flint, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Flint are $18,202, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Flint Social Sciences Report

#25

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 47 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

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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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