2026 Best Social Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in social sciences. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 320 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $53,680 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,572 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 728 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $48,203 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,573. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $66,567 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,295. See the full social sciences program report for Carleton College

4

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in social sciences, ranking #4. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 596 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $43,893. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $19,860 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Missouri Columbia

5

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. Grinnell College graduates 88% of students within six years. Grinnell College awarded about 100 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $41,426 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,931. More information about a degree in social sciences from Grinnell College

6

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #6 spot for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 141 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $36,810 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,106. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

7

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #7 for social sciences this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 social sciences degrees were awarded at Wartburg College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Typical student debt for the program is $26,793. More information about a degree in social sciences from Wartburg College

8

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #8 spot for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 380 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $42,509 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,293. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Iowa

9

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #9 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. St Olaf College awarded about 108 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $49,721 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,853. Read more about the social sciences program at St Olaf College

10

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #10 among the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 107 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $43,993 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $23,147 in student loans. See the full social sciences program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth

11

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #11 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 224 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $36,430 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,951 to complete this degree. Read more about the social sciences program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

12

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University earned the #12 position for social sciences this year. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 25 social sciences degrees were awarded at Bemidji State University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Bemidji State University graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from Bemidji State University

13

Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College landed the #13 spot for social sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Macalester College awarded about 98 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Macalester College earn around $52,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,096. See the full social sciences program report for Macalester College

14

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 206 social sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Kansas earn around $38,154 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $25,980 in student loans. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Kansas

15

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #15 for social sciences this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 88 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $55,349. Typical student debt for the program is $23,893. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

16

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #16 for social sciences this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn around $46,744 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Nebraska At Kearney

17

Southwestern College
Winfield, KS

Southwestern College earned the #17 position for social sciences this year. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Southwestern College graduates 36% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $58,036 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,874 to complete this degree. Get the full social sciences details for Southwestern College

18

Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College placed #18 among the best social sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine College in the most recent data year. Social Sciences graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990. See the full social sciences program report for Benedictine College

19

Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best social sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pittsburg. About 51% of students finish within six years. Pittsburg State University awarded about 17 social sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their social sciences degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $50,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,669. More information about a degree in social sciences from Pittsburg State University

20

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #20 position for social sciences this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 91 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $43,533 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,939. More information about a degree in social sciences from University Of Northern Iowa

21

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #21 for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 124 social sciences students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $38,195. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,504 in student loans. Get the full social sciences details for Iowa State University

22

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University earned the #22 position for social sciences this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 46 social sciences degrees were awarded at Truman State University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,649 to complete this degree. See the full social sciences program report for Truman State University

23

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #23 position for social sciences this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 42 social sciences degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Typical student debt for the program is $21,138. Read more about the social sciences program at Drake University

24

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University earned the #24 position for social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. About 38 social sciences degrees were awarded at Park University in the most recent year. Social Sciences graduates of Park University earn a median of $58,786 early in their careers. Park University graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Read more about the social sciences program at Park University

25

Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College came in at #25 for social sciences this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 15 social sciences degrees were awarded at Simpson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the social sciences program make about $48,888 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,816. More information about a degree in social sciences from Simpson College