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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

111 Ranked Colleges
603 Degrees Awarded
$44,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Sociology is the 24th most popular major in the country with 37,807 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, sociology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,727 and had an average of $23,622 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 603 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 111 colleges that offered a degree in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140.

Read full report on Sociology at Duke University

#2

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UPenn

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Yale University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Yale has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500.

Read more about Sociology at Yale

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Sociology at Stanford University

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 111 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #5 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Northwestern University

#6

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

Harvard University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read more about Sociology at Harvard

#7

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

Princeton University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Princeton is located in Princeton, New Jersey and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Princeton also took the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Princeton University Sociology Report

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#7 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Johns Hopkins

#9

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#10 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brown has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Brown University

#10

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Sociology Report

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full U-M Sociology Report

#12

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cornell has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell Sociology Report

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130.

Full University of Florida Sociology Report

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#24 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt University Sociology Report

#15

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Rice University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rice University is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Rice

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #15 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at UW - Madison

#17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 10 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at UNC Chapel Hill

#4 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 13 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read full report on Sociology at Columbia University in the City of New York

University of California - Irvine ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also took the #21 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Irvine Sociology Report

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Sociology Report

#21

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Sociology at Indiana University - Bloomington

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#23

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

With a ranking of #23, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in College Park, Maryland, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of Maryland - College Park

#24

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Sociology at Notre Dame

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#18 in overall quality

Emory University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory are $44,676.

Read more about Sociology at Emory University

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kontos.

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