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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

26 Ranked Colleges
582 Degrees Awarded
$31,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 582 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 26 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The social sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Social Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 69 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Social Sciences at IU Bloomington

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 UIUC are $30,083.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UIUC

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#11 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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 17 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue Social Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 UIC are $27,036.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UIC

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students with aid list, Michigan State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Michigan State University

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 40 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#21 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#10

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#18 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#11

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 Northwestern University are $56,567.

Full Northwestern University Social Sciences Report

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

SIUC also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. 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

#13

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Indiana State is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Indiana State also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Indiana State

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#22 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Full Northern Illinois University Social Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. BGSU is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

#16

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Wayne State University

#17

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s social sciences degrees to 21 students 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 Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Notre Dame

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#15 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Read more about Social Sciences at WMU

#19

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 2 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at Cleveland State University

#20

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Toledo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Toledo is a fairly large school located in Toledo, Ohio that handed out 3 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Toledo, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Toledo

#21 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 4 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Social Sciences at Kent State

#17 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Social Sciences Report

#24

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 71 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Chicago

#10 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Case Western is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree social sciences students with aid list, Case Western has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Doctor’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 Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University

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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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