2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for social sciences. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 494 social sciences degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Northwestern University earn around $76,642 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,409 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for social sciences. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 1,824 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $77,662 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,370 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Chicago

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 748 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $48,290 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish 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. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $50,808. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Illinois Wesleyan University

5

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #5. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 social sciences degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,505. See the full social sciences program report for Elmhurst College

6

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #6 position for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 85 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $55,350 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,173. More information about a degree in social sciences from Wheaton College Illinois

7

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 16 social sciences degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Aurora University

8

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 253 social sciences degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $34,322 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Loyola University Chicago

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University came in at #9 for social sciences this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 242 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $35,439 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,824. See the full social sciences program report for Illinois State University

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 242 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $36,189. Typical student debt for the program is $21,347. Get the full social sciences details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #11 position for social sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 301 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $40,390 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,192 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Depaul University

12

Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College earned the #12 position for social sciences this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 social sciences degrees were awarded at Rockford College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $56,020 in their early career. Rockford College graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Rockford College

13

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University landed the #13 spot for social sciences this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 56 social sciences degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $30,669 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,160 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at Eastern Illinois University

14

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College came in at #14 for social sciences this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 38 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from North Central College earn around $43,264 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,575 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for North Central College

15

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 65 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Lake Forest College

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #16 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 156 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $36,856 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,476. See the full social sciences program report for Northern Illinois University

17

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #17 spot for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 137 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn around $34,160 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,307 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

18

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. National Louis University graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $30,170 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,437 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from National Louis University

19

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University landed the #19 spot for social sciences this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Benedictine University earn around $42,023 in the first couple years of their career. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $32,824 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Benedictine University

20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #20 spot for social sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,105. Students borrow a median of $24,933 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

21

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dominican University graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dominican University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $31,659. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for Dominican University

22

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

Millikin University came in at #22 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 19 social sciences degrees were awarded at Millikin University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Millikin University graduates carry a median of $26,036 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Millikin University

23

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #23 position for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Bradley University earn around $31,902 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Bradley University

24

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University earned the #24 position for social sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 17 social sciences degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $54,169. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Olivet Nazarene University

25

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 30 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $35,715 early in their careers. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $26,839 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Augustana College Illinois