2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 114 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in social sciences in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $17,734. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $58,904. That is a strong return on a $17,734 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Sinclair Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,347. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $36,729. That is a strong return on a $21,347 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University East earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,098. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University East earn a median of $49,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Harper College came in at #6 for value in social sciences this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,057 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $27,274. That is a strong return on a $22,057 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #8 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,866. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $38,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,657. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,064. Set against $19,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana State University came in at #10 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,948. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $35,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $31,016. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $41,460 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,848. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
National Louis University came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,170. That is a strong return on a $23,437 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,370 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $78,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,370 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,709. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $48,722. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,873. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,543. Set against $25,873 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University placed #18 among the best values for social sciences. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,681. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Dominican University placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Social Sciences graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $31,662 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,307 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #23 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $42,663 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #24 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $23,905 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $53,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,284. That is a strong return on a $26,476 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 114 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 114 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
