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

17 Ranked Colleges
829 Degrees Awarded
$23,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 205,726 social sciences students received their degree, making the major the 5th most popular in the country. 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 Illinois, there were 5,941 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,078 and $23,135 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 829 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 17 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

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

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. 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

#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 Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 383 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Chicago

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 101 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree social sciences students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read more about Social Sciences at UIUC

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #4 spot on the list. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Springfield

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Read full report on Social Sciences at SIUE

#6

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois 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 Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wheaton College Illinois are $17,424.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wheaton College Illinois

#5 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at UIC

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 30 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761.

Read more about Social Sciences at Eastern Illinois University

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 16 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northern Illinois University

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. SIUC 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Social Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 7 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University also made our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Social Sciences Report

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Western Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WIU is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 29 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996.

Read more about Social Sciences at Western Illinois University

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 35 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069.

Full Illinois State Social Sciences Report

#14

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

CSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSU are $15,056.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Chicago State University

#15

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Roosevelt University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Roosevelt University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Roosevelt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt University are $21,605.

Full Roosevelt University Social Sciences Report

#16

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

DePaul University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 63 masters’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760.

Full DePaul University Social Sciences Report

#17

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #4 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Loyola Chicago

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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