by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 16 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Social Sciences Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 665 master's degrees in social sciences during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The social sciences master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. Important measures of a quality social sciences program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Average early-career salary of those graduating with their master's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your master's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for social sciences students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Social Sciences Master's Degree Schools in the Plains States Region list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for social sciences students seeking a a master's degree.
It's difficult to beat Washington University in St Louis if you wish to pursue a master's degree in social sciences. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Washington University in St Louis
Any student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in social sciences needs to check out University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
It is hard to beat University of Iowa if you want to pursue a master's degree in social sciences. Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Iowa City.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Iowa
Every student pursuing a degree in a master's degree in social sciences has to look into Northwest Missouri State University. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Northwest Missouri State University
UNL is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Lincoln.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Located in the medium-sized city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Missouri State University - Springfield
UMSL is a large public university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Missouri - St Louis
Mizzou is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia.More information about a master’s in social sciences from University of Missouri - Columbia
Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Minnesota State University - Mankato
K -State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Manhattan.More information about a master’s in social sciences from Kansas State University
Explore the best social sciences colleges for a specific state in the Plains States Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 32 | 232 |
| Minnesota | 31 | 100 |
| Kansas | 30 | 48 |
| Iowa | 29 | 29 |
| Nebraska | 29 | 204 |
| North Dakota | 28 | 25 |
| South Dakota | 25 | 21 |
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 201 |
| Geography & Cartography | 120 |
| International Relations & National Security | 88 |
| Sociology | 53 |
| Political Science & Government | 41 |
| General Social Sciences | 40 |
| Other Social Sciences | 32 |
| Anthropology | 30 |
| Urban Studies | 7 |
| Archeology | 1 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 1,346 |
| English Language & Literature | 601 |
| Communication & Journalism | 535 |
| Family, Consumer & Human Sciences | 301 |
| History | 217 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 156 |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | 144 |
| Area, Ethnic, Culture, & Gender Studies | 51 |
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 35 |
