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2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

34 Ranked Colleges
5,941 Degrees Awarded
$21,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 205,726 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, social sciences is the 5th most popular major in the United States. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent social sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the social sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Social Sciences Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 666 ’s social sciences 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 Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,784 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern University.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University Social Sciences Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,133 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $17,929 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UChicago.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UChicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. UIS is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIS has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $17,342 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UIS Social Sciences Report

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 #4 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,012 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $21,998 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 226 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, NIU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $21,425 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend NIU.

Read more about Social Sciences at Northern Illinois University

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. SXU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 24 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $18,457 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Read more about Social Sciences at SXU

#7

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 122 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $24,299 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Wheaton College Illinois

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 136 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $18,928 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SIUE.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 344 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $20,270 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Social Sciences Report

#10

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. EIU is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 103 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $19,147 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Eastern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 170 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,698 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SIUC.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Social Sciences Report

#12

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, National Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $21,269 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend National Louis University.

Read more about Social Sciences at National Louis University

#13

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Dominican University is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 83 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $21,979 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Dominican U

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 84 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for WIU is $20,181 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Western Illinois University

#15

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Saint Francis is a small school located in Joliet, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also took the #23 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis is $20,629 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Francis Social Sciences Report

#16

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $17,820 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Concordia University, Chicago

#17

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, McKendree University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. McKendree is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 50 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k list, McKendree has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McKendree University is $23,434 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at McKendree

#18

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Decatur, Illinois, and it awarded 12 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $23,486 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Millikin University

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 79 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $22,526 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University

#20

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Knox College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 48 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Knox College is $23,813 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Knox

#21

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 292 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $25,379 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Illinois State University

#22

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 71 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $23,730 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Augustana College

#23

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. Illinois College is a small school located in Jacksonville, Illinois that handed out 27 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $19,711 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Social Sciences at Illinois College

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Bourbonnais, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Olivet Nazarene did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $21,306 for Illinois Social Sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Olivet Nazarene University

#25

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Elmhurst is located in Elmhurst, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 52 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elmhurst, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $23,604 for illinois social sciences students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Elmhurst University

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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