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2023 Best Value Colleges for Sociology in the Plains States Region

52 Ranked Colleges
1,248 Degrees Awarded
$16,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 38,475 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 25th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $24,587 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,248 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,845 and $26,072 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 52 colleges that offered a degree in sociology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great sociology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology in the Plains States Region

1
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 51 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for Plains States Region Sociology students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at South Dakota State University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 15 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,998 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at North Dakota State University

3
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Out of the 52 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #3 spot on the list. University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region sociology students per year to attend University of North Dakota.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UND Sociology Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 37 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region sociology students list, Iowa State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,002 for plains states region sociology students per year to attend Iowa State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Sociology at Iowa State

5
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Park University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region. Park University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Parkville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,619 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend Park University.

Read full report on Sociology at Park University

6

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 11 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Sociology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UMN Duluth

7

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region sociology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Sociology Report

8

University of Minnesota - Morris ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UMN Morris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,529 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Morris.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at UMN Morris

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for Plains States Region Sociology students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UNI

10

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 31 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Sociology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Missouri State University - Springfield

11

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Moorhead, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,680 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full MSU Moorhead Sociology Report

12
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,634 for plains states region sociology students per year to attend Winona State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Sociology Report

13
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $18,433 for Plains States Region Sociology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full K -State Sociology Report

14
Columbia College Missouri crest
Columbia College
Columbia, Missouri

Columbia College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Columbia College Missouri is $26,668 for plains states region sociology students.

Read more about Sociology at Columbia College

15
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. USD is a public institution located in Vermillion, South Dakota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USD is $19,389 for Plains States Region Sociology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full USD Sociology Report

16
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 18 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,581 for plains states region sociology students per year to attend St. Cloud State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Saint Cloud State University

17
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #17, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Truman State University is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State University is $12,301 for plains states region sociology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Sociology at Truman State University

18
BHSU crest
Black Hills State University
Spearfish, South Dakota

Black Hills State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Spearfish, South Dakota, and it awarded 21 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,961 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend BHSU.

Full BHSU Sociology Report

19

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 41 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region sociology students list, UNL has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,013 for plains states region sociology students per year to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

20
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 28 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,257 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend KU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Kansas

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNOMAHA is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 25 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,914 for plains states region sociology students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNOMAHA Sociology Report

22

Emporia State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. ESU is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $14,794 for plains states region sociology students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Emporia State University Sociology Report

23

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 110 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $17,878 for plains states region sociology students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at UMN Twin Cities

24

University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Mizzou is a large public school situated in Columbia, Missouri. It awarded 50 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Sociology Report

25

Wichita State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in the Plains States Region list. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 7 ’s sociology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,859 for Plains States Region Sociology students per year to attend Wichita State University.

Full WSU Sociology Report

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