2026 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
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Millikin University earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $39,018. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $47,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $36,189. That is a strong return on a $21,347 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,119. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $27,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,734 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $58,845 early in their careers. Set against $17,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $35,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,999. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,848 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #11 spot for social sciences value 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. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,290 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University came in at #13 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $35,885. That is a strong return on a $25,948 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,476. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,476 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Western Illinois University placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $32,359. Set against $27,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #16 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,450. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $35,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,839 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #18 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $42,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $28,148. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,130. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $39,110 early in their careers. Set against $23,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,588 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $42,963 early in their careers. Set against $18,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #22 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,905 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $52,918 early in their careers. Set against $23,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,933 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,105. That is a strong return on a $24,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oakland University landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $22,057 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #25 spot for social sciences value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,160. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,669. Set against $25,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s social sciences value ranking:
Narrow Social Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 229 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 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.
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
