2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong social sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value social sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in social sciences, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,347 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $36,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Harper College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #4 makes National Louis University one of the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,437. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $30,170. That is a strong return on a $23,437 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,370 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $78,184. That is a strong return on a $15,370 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $31,662. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $49,709. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $25,307 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $34,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,160. Social Sciences graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $30,955 early in their careers. Set against $25,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,138 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $32,359 early in their careers. Set against $27,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $26,476 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,284. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University earned the #12 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,360. Social Sciences graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,514 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $32,856. Set against $17,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,933 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,392. That is a strong return on a $24,933 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Illinois College earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,676. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,922. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Illinois College generally make around $41,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,507. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,859. That is a strong return on a $23,824 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $54,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
North Central College landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,575. Social Sciences graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,005 early in their careers. Set against $26,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Benedictine University landed the #20 spot for social sciences value this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $32,824 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $42,023 early in their careers. Set against $32,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Millikin University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,036. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Rockford College came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,780. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $28,094. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $56,020. That is a strong return on a $28,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University earned the #23 position for value in social sciences this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $31,902. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,598. Students borrow a median of $26,839 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $36,635 early in their careers. Set against $26,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Knox College earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,903. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,255. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $23,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in social sciences:
More Social Sciences Rankings
View All Social Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
