2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Sociology & Anthropology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology-and-anthropology/sociology-and-anthropology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sociology & anthropology students.
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2026 Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology & anthropology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology & Anthropology Schools
Cuny College Of Staten Island tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools in the United States. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $15,180. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $34,139. That is a strong return on a $15,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #2 makes Swarthmore College one of the best values for sociology & anthropology. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $19,500. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology & anthropology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $37,249. Soon after graduation, sociology & anthropology degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $30,802. That is a strong return on a $37,249 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology & anthropology will find it at Southern Oregon University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Southern Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,762, compared with $31,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $20,000. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $27,702. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $27,000. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $34,388. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College earned the #6 position for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $24,644. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $40,848 early in their careers. Set against $24,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Centre College came in at #7 for value in sociology & anthropology 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. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $29,054. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Carleton College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology & anthropology schools. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $45,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Knox College placed #9 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sociology & anthropology program here. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $26,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Lake Forest College placed #10 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $26,661. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $41,168. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Wofford College came in at #11 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,005. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $24,643 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $41,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College placed #12 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for sociology & anthropology graduates is $17,549. Sociology & Anthropology graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $43,321 early in their careers. Set against $17,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pace University New York placed #13 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Early-career sociology & anthropology graduates make about $59,662. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Lewis And Clark College placed #14 among the best values for sociology & anthropology. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Sociology & Anthropology graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. 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. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound came in at #15 for value in sociology & anthropology this year. University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Other Sociology & Anthropology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value sociology & anthropology schools at other degree levels:
View All Sociology & Anthropology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
