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Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region

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2023 Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region

161 Colleges
$35,904 Avg Salary
$24,673 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Social Sciences School for You

In 2020-2021, 205,984 social sciences students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #6 most popular in the country.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 161 schools in the Plains States Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Social Sciences program at each school on the list.

Check out the social sciences programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Plains States Region .

Our 2023 rankings named University of Minnesota - Twin Cities the most popular school in the Plains States Region for social sciences students. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, social sciences graduates from UMN Twin Cities take out $20,751 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $233, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#2

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Iowa is a great place for social sciences students. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from Iowa carry an average student debt load of $25,358. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $308.

Full Social Sciences at University of Iowa Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from WUSTL carry an average student debt load of $16,620.

Full Social Sciences at Washington University in St Louis Report

Out of the 161 schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the # 4 spot on the list. Mizzou is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Columbia.

Social Sciences majors at Mizzou take out an average of $22,436 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $350.

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#5

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Kansas. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in the city of Lawrence, KU is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at KU take out is $24,297. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $348.

Full Social Sciences at University of Kansas Report

#6

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #6 on the list. K -State is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan.

On average, social sciences graduates from K -State take out $25,799 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $276.

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Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #7 on the list. Missouri State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Springfield.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at Missouri State take out is $24,687. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $130.

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#8

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at Bellevue University take out is $35,945.

Full Social Sciences at Bellevue University Report

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMSL is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.

On average, social sciences graduates from UMSL take out $23,486 in student loans while working on their degree.

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Fort Hays State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. FHSU is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Hays.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at FHSU accumulate an average of around $31,998 in student debt.

Full Social Sciences at Fort Hays State University Report

With a ranking of #11, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. Located in the city of Lincoln, UNL is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at UNL take out is $23,939. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $245.

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Iowa State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Iowa State is a very large public school located in the small city of Ames.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at Iowa State take out is $24,199. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $348.

Full Social Sciences at Iowa State University Report

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in the large city of Kansas City, UMKC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, social sciences graduates from UMKC take out $20,861 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#14

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN

St Olaf College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit school located in the distant town of Northfield.

Social Sciences majors at St. Olaf take out an average of $24,184 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Social Sciences at St Olaf College Report

#15

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, UNI is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from UNI carry an average student debt load of $23,597. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $147, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Northern Iowa

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UMN Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Duluth.

On average, social sciences graduates from UMN Duluth take out $22,053 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Minnesota - Duluth

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school located in the city of Omaha.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at UNOMAHA accumulate an average of around $22,673 in student debt.

Read full report on Social Sciences at University of Nebraska at Omaha

#18

Macalester College

Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for social sciences students. It came in at #18 on the list. Macalester is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul.

Social Sciences majors at Macalester take out an average of $21,290 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Social Sciences at Macalester College

#19

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN

With a ranking of #19, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Saint Cloud.

Social Sciences majors at St. Cloud State University take out an average of $18,321 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Social Sciences at Saint Cloud State University Report

With a ranking of #20, South Dakota State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. South Dakota State is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Brookings.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at South Dakota State take out is $25,167.

Full Social Sciences at South Dakota State University Report

University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. Located in the large city of Saint Paul, UST MN is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that social sciences majors at UST MN take out is $26,958.

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#22

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA

With a ranking of #22, Grinnell College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for social sciences students. Grinnell is a small private not-for-profit school located in the remote town of Grinnell.

While working on their degree, social sciences majors at Grinnell accumulate an average of around $18,098 in student debt.

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#23

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular social sciences programs. Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

On average, social sciences graduates from SLU take out $26,404 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Social Sciences at Saint Louis University Report

#24

Creighton University

Omaha, NE

Creighton University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region list. Creighton is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Omaha.

After completing their degree, social sciences graduates from Creighton carry an average student debt load of $24,250.

Full Social Sciences at Creighton University Report

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Social Sciences students in the Plains States Region that almost earned our Most Popular Social Sciences Schools in the Plains States Region award.

Rank College Location
25 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
26 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
27 Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA
27 Carleton College Northfield, MN
29 Webster University Saint Louis, MO
30 Hamline University Saint Paul, MN
31 Drake University Des Moines, IA
32 Capella University Minneapolis, MN

Best Social Sciences Colleges by State

Explore the best social sciences schools for a specific state in the Plains States region.

State Degrees Awarded
Kansas 1,073
Minnesota 2,741
Iowa 1,455
South Dakota 262
Missouri 2,156
Nebraska 833
North Dakota 194

Social Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 49,282
Economics 49,055
Sociology 38,475
General Social Sciences 18,997
International Relations & National Security 14,306
Anthropology 11,415
Criminology 11,039
Geography & Cartography 8,526
Other Social Sciences 2,414
Urban Studies 1,507
Sociology & Anthropology 541
Archeology 339
Demography & Population Studies 88

Related Major Annual Graduates
Education 327,871
Psychology 195,678
Communication & Journalism 120,571
Family, Consumer & Human Sciences 55,820
History 32,731

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to AndrГ© KГјnzelmann.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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