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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Social Sciences in the Plains States Region

157 Ranked Colleges
$28,200 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Social Sciences is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2021-2022, 197,356 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In , social sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $36,428 and had an average of $22,588 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 8,426 social sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,406 and $23,873 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 157 colleges that offer a degree in social sciences. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in social sciences.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The social sciences school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Social Sciences in the Plains States Region

1
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grinnell College. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region. Grinnell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grinnell, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 116 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Grinnell College

2
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Macalester College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region. Macalester is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 130 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Macalester College

3
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 157 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, St Olaf College landed the #3 spot on the list. St. Olaf is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 175 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 more about Social Sciences at St Olaf College

4
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carleton College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northfield, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 105 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, 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. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Carleton

5
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gustavus Adolphus College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Social Sciences Report

6
Central crest
Central College
Pella, Iowa

Central College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Pella, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%.

Full Central College Social Sciences Report

7
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

With a ranking of #7, Saint Johns University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegeville, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Social Sciences at SJU

8
Harris - Stowe State University crest
Harris - Stowe State University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Harris - Stowe State University ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Harris - Stowe State University is a small public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 25 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Harris - Stowe State University

9

University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 29 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Minnesota - Morris

10

Westminster College Missouri ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Fulton, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Westminster College Missouri

11
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa

Simpson College ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Indianola, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 full report on Social Sciences at Simpson College

12
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

With a ranking of #12, Cornell College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 25 ’s social sciences degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Cornell College

13

With a ranking of #13, William Penn University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Oskaloosa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 13 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 William Penn University

14
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Decorah, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at Luther College

15

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #15. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 926 students in 2021-2022.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Social Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

16
LU Missouri crest
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, Missouri

With a ranking of #16, Lincoln University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Jefferson City, Missouri, and it awarded 16 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Social Sciences at LU Missouri

17
Coe crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Coe College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and it awarded 36 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 Coe

18
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 91 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Hamline University

19
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Bellevue, Nebraska, and it awarded 238 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Bellevue University

20
Midland U crest
Midland University
Fremont, Nebraska

Midland University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Midland U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fremont, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.

Full Midland U Social Sciences Report

21
William Jewell crest
William Jewell College
Liberty, Missouri

William Jewell College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Liberty, Missouri, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s social sciences students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Social Sciences at William Jewell

22
Wartburg crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Waverly, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 27 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wartburg Social Sciences Report

23
CSB crest
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, Minnesota

With a ranking of #23, College of Saint Benedict did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Saint Joseph, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s social sciences degrees to 36 students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full College of Saint Benedict Social Sciences Report

24

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Missouri - St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 183 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 UMSL

25

With a ranking of #25, Washington University in St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Social Sciences Major in the Plains States Region list. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 357 ’s social sciences degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Washington University in St Louis Social Sciences Report

Notes and References

References

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