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2022 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences in Illinois (With Aid)

35 Ranked Colleges
5,941 Degrees Awarded
$18,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 35 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.

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 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Social Sciences in Illinois (With Aid)

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 1,012 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,880 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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 student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Social Sciences Report

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 344 ’s social sciences 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. It costs about $13,312 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

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 University of Illinois at Chicago

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 Getting Aid list. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students with aid list, UIS has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $12,477 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend UIS.

Full UIS Social Sciences Report

#4

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Xavier University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $14,528 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Saint Xavier University

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 226 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,259 for Illinois Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northern Illinois University

#6

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 103 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $14,607 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at EIU

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 136 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at SIUE

#8

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 666 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $24,664 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Northwestern University

#9

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago State University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for CSU is $11,733 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full CSU Social Sciences Report

With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 170 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois social sciences students with aid list, SIUC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,945 for Illinois Social Sciences students with aid.

Full SIUC Social Sciences Report

#11

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, National Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. National Louis University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend National Louis University is $14,957 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at National Louis University

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 84 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,210 for Illinois Social Sciences students with aid per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Read more about Social Sciences at WIU

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 79 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,843 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Social Sciences Report

#14

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Saint Francis is $17,538 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at University of Saint Francis

#15

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 292 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $20,895 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend Illinois State University.

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%.

Full Illinois State University Social Sciences Report

#16

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 83 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $19,268 for Illinois Social Sciences students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Dominican U Social Sciences Report

#17

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. 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 $16,562 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Illinois College

#18

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 122 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $25,358 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. 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 Wheaton College Illinois

#19

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

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. It costs about $21,485 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend Elmhurst University.

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

#20

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Olivet Nazarene, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene University is $20,195 for Illinois Social Sciences students with aid.

The low 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Olivet Nazarene

#21

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 23 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,512 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Read more about Social Sciences at Concordia University, Chicago

#22

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $27,315 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full UChicago Social Sciences Report

#23

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 71 ’s social sciences degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana also took the #8 spot in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $23,874 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend Augustana College.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Augustana College Social Sciences Report

#24

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. McKendree University 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 with aid list, McKendree has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for McKendree University is $19,844 for illinois social sciences students with aid.

Read more about Social Sciences at McKendree University

#25

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $21,331 for illinois social sciences students with aid per year to attend Millikin.

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.

Full Millikin University Social Sciences Report

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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