2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Wisconsin

1

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $35,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

2

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay
Green Bay, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,450. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,863. That is a strong return on a $23,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

3

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for social sciences. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $42,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,130. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $39,110 early in their careers. Set against $23,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,905. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $52,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,852. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,049. That is a strong return on a $23,852 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

7

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,974. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $41,932. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,295 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $57,842. Set against $20,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

9

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #9 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $38,970 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $37,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

11

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. 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 $24,882 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $28,930 early in their careers. Set against $24,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,973. Social Sciences graduates of Ripon College earn a median of $35,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,396. Students borrow a median of $26,053 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Lakeland College generally make around $45,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lakeland College admits about 86% of applicants.

14

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,982. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,699 in student loans. Median earnings reach $55,789 ten years out. Set against $15,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.

15

Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College landed the #15 spot for social sciences value this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,750. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $19,373. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $29,201. That is a strong return on a $19,373 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

16

Saint Norbert College
De Pere, WI

Saint Norbert College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,580. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,692. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Saint Norbert College generally make around $43,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Norbert College admits about 86% of applicants.

17

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,076. Social Sciences graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $41,209 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,076 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.