[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology & anthropology students.
Finding the Best Value Sociology & Anthropology School for You
Where you study sociology & anthropology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny College Of Staten Island, our #1 best value for sociology & anthropology in the United States. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $15,180 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $34,139. Set against $15,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology & anthropology will find it at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Valdosta State University one of the best values for sociology & anthropology. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $37,249 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $30,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wofford College earned it the #4 place for sociology & anthropology. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,005 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,643 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wofford College admits about 52% of applicants.
Centre College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology & anthropology, landing the #5 spot this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Centre College earn a median of $29,054 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #6 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $34,388. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Warren Wilson College came in at #7 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the rural area of Swannanoa, Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,500. Median earnings reach $36,260 ten years out. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College landed the #8 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Washington And Lee University landed the #9 spot for sociology & anthropology value this year. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $20,074. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $76,810. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College placed #10 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,644 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $40,848. Set against $24,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,892. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.
Knox College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,903 in tuition and fees. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Michaels College earned the #13 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Set in the suburb of Colchester, Saint Michaels College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,640 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Saint Michaels College earn a median of $42,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College placed #14 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,402. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.
Lafayette College earned the #15 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $17,549. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $43,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lafayette College admits about 31% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College came in at #16 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,828. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Lewis And Clark College earn a median of $24,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound earned the #17 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,924 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $19,495. That is a strong return on a $24,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Narrow Sociology & Anthropology Schools by Region
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked 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 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).
[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
