2026 Best Value General Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Dearborn the best value for a degree in general social sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $38,850 in student loans. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Set against $38,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

2

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for general social sciences. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,245. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $42,357. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,306. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

4

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,648. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

5

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

A rank of #5 makes Grand Valley State University one of the best values for general social sciences. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,400 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $43,217. Set against $27,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for general social sciences. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

7

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago placed #7 among the best values for general social sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $53,788. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

8

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State University came in at #8 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,233. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $42,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $27,873. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $52,274. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #11 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $29,198 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $46,206 early in their careers. Set against $29,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $35,890 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Set against $35,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #13 among the best values for general social sciences. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $25,699. General Social Sciences graduates of North Central College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.