2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Illinois

1

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Leading the list is Millikin University, our #1 best value for social sciences in Illinois. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $26,036 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $58,852. That is a strong return on a $26,036 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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 $36,189 early in their careers. Set against $21,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

3

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,848. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

4

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,138. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $32,359. That is a strong return on a $27,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,375. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $48,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $26,476 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

7

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois landed the #7 spot for social sciences value this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,839. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

8

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,160. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $30,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,933 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $31,105. That is a strong return on a $24,933 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

10

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $31,659. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

11

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University earned the #11 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,437 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $30,170 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

12

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,307 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $34,160. Set against $25,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

13

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $15,370. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $77,662. That is a strong return on a $15,370 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

14

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,507. Social Sciences graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

15

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,824 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

16

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #16 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,505 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $51,232. That is a strong return on a $24,505 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

17

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $36,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

18

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #18 for value in social sciences this year. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

19

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,575. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $43,264. That is a strong return on a $26,575 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

20

Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. 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. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $56,020 early in their careers. Set against $28,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

21

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University placed #21 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $32,824 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $42,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.

23

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,015. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

24

Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,903. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $23,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.

25

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #25 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,546. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,173. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $55,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.