2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
91
Ranked Colleges
22,158
Degrees Awarded
$14,800
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 205,984 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $36,262 and had an average of $23,306 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 22,158 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,460 and $24,793 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 91 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
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 #1 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 973 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,846 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region social sciences students with aid list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,234 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend UW - Madison.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UW - Madison Social Sciences Report
Out of the 91 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue also took the #9 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, 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 93%.
Full Purdue Social Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 1,247 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $14,878 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full U-M Social Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 532 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $14,619 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Read more about Social Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 349 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC also took the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 full report on Social Sciences at UIC
Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 965 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $19,058 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Michigan State Social Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 172 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $14,654 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
With a ranking of #9, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 663 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
Northwestern also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $23,279 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 Northwestern
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 1,219 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Social Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 139 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full IUPUI Social Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 245 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UW - Whitewater is $14,417 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
Read more about Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 118 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls also took the #25 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
The undergrad 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 UW - River Falls
Indiana State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 196 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State University is $14,270 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Indiana State University
With a ranking of #15, Purdue University Northwest did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Hammond, Indiana, and it awarded 42 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University Northwest is $11,384 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Purdue University Northwest
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Stevens Point, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 137 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - Green Bay is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $13,092 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $16,051 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
Read full report on Social Sciences at UW - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 132 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $14,687 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
Read full report on Social Sciences at UW Oshkosh
Ball State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 154 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,765 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid per year to attend Ball State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Social Sciences at Ball State
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UWM is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 256 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend UWM.
Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
With a ranking of #22, University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 136 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $12,855 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Social Sciences Report
University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 48 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,034 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Full University of Illinois at Springfield Social Sciences Report
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 160 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,285 for great lakes region social sciences students with aid.
Read more about Social Sciences at SIUC
University of Wisconsin - Parkside landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UW - Parkside is a small public school situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It awarded 76 ’s social sciences degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,082 for Great Lakes Region Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Parkside.
The low undergrad 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 UW - Parkside
