2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in the Far Western Region

[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology & anthropology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology & anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools
Southern Oregon University earned the #1 spot for value among sociology & anthropology schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,762, with out-of-state students paying around $31,887. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $20,000. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Southern Oregon University earn a median of $27,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lewis And Clark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Lewis And Clark College generally make around $24,098. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology & anthropology will find it at University Of Puget Sound, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,924 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $19,495. Set against $24,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Narrow Sociology & Anthropology Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.