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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

21 Ranked Colleges
114 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 37,807 people earned their degree in sociology, making the major the 24th most popular in the United States. 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 3,239 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,473 and $25,310 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 114 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in sociology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent sociology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the sociology program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 21 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Sociology at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Chicago Sociology Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Sociology Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 16 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Sociology at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #5 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at UIUC

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at IU Bloomington

#7

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 5 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 full report on Sociology at Notre Dame

#8

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Purdue

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #9, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Michigan State

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Sociology Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at University of Illinois at Chicago

#12

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#15 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UWM also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295.

Read full report on Sociology at UWM

#18 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full SIUC Sociology Report

#9 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Case Western, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958.

Read full report on Sociology at Case Western

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 6 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State University Sociology Report

#16

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, WMU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WMU Sociology Report

#17 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full BGSU Sociology Report

#20 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also made our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Kent State

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. UC is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 2 doctorate’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Akron, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s sociology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read more about Sociology at University of Akron Main Campus

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Sociology Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154.

Read more about Sociology at Loyola Chicago

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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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