2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Michigan

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Michigan. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,866 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $41,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,734 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $58,845. That is a strong return on a $17,734 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

3

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,057. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $27,430. That is a strong return on a $22,057 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

4

Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Michigan College earned it the #4 place for social sciences. Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Benton Harbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,445, compared with $7,755 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,473 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Lake Michigan College earn a median of $50,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Students from in state pay about $14,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $41,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

6

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,873. Social Sciences graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,873 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University earned the #7 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,059. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

8

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #8 among the best values for social sciences. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,326 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $37,090. That is a strong return on a $28,326 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,762. Social Sciences graduates of Albion College earn a median of $45,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

10

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #10 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,663 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $36,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.

11

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,241. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $30,899. That is a strong return on a $27,241 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

12

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $32,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

13

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #13 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $28,284 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,422. Set against $28,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College placed #14 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,716 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,902. Set against $26,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.

15

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for social sciences. 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $25,871. Social Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $46,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

16

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $43,746. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

17

Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College earned the #17 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,495. Social Sciences graduates of Hope College earn a median of $31,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.