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

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among general social sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $38,850 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,245 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

Students looking for strong value in general social sciences will find it at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater, which ranked #3. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the general social sciences program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.

4

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #4 place for general social sciences. 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. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $26,336. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $49,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

5

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $27,400. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $43,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for general social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $22,053. General Social Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

7

Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, OH

Shawnee State University landed the #7 spot for general social sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. General Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,233 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. That is a strong return on a $25,233 median debt.

8

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #8 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $27,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #9 for value in general social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general social sciences program here. General Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $53,788 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% 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. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $24,546. General Social Sciences graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $52,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #11 spot for general social sciences value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $29,198 to complete the general social sciences program here. Early-career general social sciences graduates make about $46,206. 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 came in at #12 for value in general social sciences this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Typical student debt for general social sciences graduates is $35,890. General Social Sciences graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $57,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general social sciences schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Students borrow a median of $25,699 to complete the general social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general social sciences degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $46,247. Set against $25,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.