Best colleges for Social Sciences in Illinois
Ranked by graduates a year
University of Chicago, North Central College and Northwestern University award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois: 818, 17 and 16 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Illinois colleges offer Social Sciences and award 859 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Social Sciences program, also known as Social Sciences, General, focuses on the study of human behavior in its social and cultural contexts. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of society,…
8 institutions offering Social Sciences in Illinois
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | — | 818 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 2 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit | — | 17 | 64% | $20,052 | — |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | — | 16 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 4 | Governors State University University Park Public | — | 3 | 22% | — | — |
| 5 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | — | 2 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 6 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 7 | McKendree University Lebanon Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 53% | $23,994 | — |
| 8 | Roosevelt University Chicago Private not-for-profit | — | 1 | 35% | $21,085 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Social Sciences degrees in Illinois
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 818 | Not reported |
| 2 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 3 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 4 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 5 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 6 | McKendree University Lebanon Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
| 7 | Roosevelt University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Social Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governors State University | University Park | Public | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Social Science Research Assistants (SOC 19-4061).
Top skills
What Social Science Research Assistants earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Social Sciences programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Social Sciences degrees?+
University of Chicago (818 graduates a year), North Central College (17 graduates a year) and Northwestern University (16 graduates a year) award the most Social Sciences degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Illinois colleges offer Social Sciences.
How much do Social Science Research Assistants earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Social Science Research Assistants in Illinois is $69,900 (median $64,890), across about 250 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Social Sciences program?+
The Social Sciences program, also known as Social Sciences, General, focuses on the study of human behavior in its social and cultural contexts. This program is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of society,…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, writing, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Social Science Research Assistants?+
The national job outlook is about +4.4% growth with around 5,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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