2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for social sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 494 social sciences degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $76,642 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,409 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for social sciences. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 1,824 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $77,662 in their early career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,370 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Chicago

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 1,384 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $57,842 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,295 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for a strong social sciences program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 1,220 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $58,845 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $17,734 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

A rank of #5 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top schools for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 380 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $67,038 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,617 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Notre Dame

6

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for social sciences this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 748 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $48,290. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

7

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 611 social sciences degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $47,195 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Purdue University Main Campus

8

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 35 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $43,746. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the social sciences program at Calvin College

9

Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College placed #9 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 social sciences degrees were awarded at Kenyon College in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Kenyon College earn around $51,406 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,569. Get the full social sciences details for Kenyon College

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 963 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $44,648 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,322 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Ohio State University Main Campus

11

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #11 for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Miami University Oxford awarded about 344 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,015 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,301. See the full social sciences program report for Miami University Oxford

12

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 749 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Michigan State University earn around $46,409 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,871 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Michigan State University

13

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #13 for social sciences this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,808 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Illinois Wesleyan University

14

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #14 for social sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 12 social sciences degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Cedarville University

15

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 400 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $42,963 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,588 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Indiana University Bloomington

16

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $24,505 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Elmhurst College

17

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University placed #17 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marquette University awarded about 146 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Marquette University earn around $41,209 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,076 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Marquette University

18

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 251 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $50,746 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,937 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

19

Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University placed #19 among the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. About 3% of students finish within six years. Franklin University awarded about 148 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $57,471. Typical student debt for the program is $35,890. More information about a degree in social sciences from Franklin University

20

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #20 position for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 85 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $55,350 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,173. Get the full social sciences details for Wheaton College Illinois

21

Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University placed #21 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Upland. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Taylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. Taylor University graduates carry a median of $21,832 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Taylor University

22

Lawrence University
Appleton, WI

Lawrence University placed #22 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lawrence University awarded about 40 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $15,699. Read more about the social sciences program at Lawrence University

23

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton placed #23 among the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 53 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $34,671 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Dayton

24

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #24 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 16 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Aurora University

25

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University placed #25 among the best social sciences schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 81 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Butler University