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2022 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

29 Ranked Colleges
860 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois 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 in Illinois 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 Illinois, there were 860 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,900 and $23,883 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 44 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $1,866 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Sociology Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 51 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full UChicago Sociology Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 74 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,477 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Sociology at UIUC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 39 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUE, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,055 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Sociology at SIUE

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 80 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $10,648 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Sociology Report

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 75 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $15,281 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NIU Sociology Report

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,266 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Read more about Sociology at SXU

#8

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 83 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $14,470 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at Illinois State University

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 28 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $12,350 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full EIU Sociology Report

#10

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $18,440 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Sociology Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUC is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $13,658 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Sociology at SIUC

#12

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 6 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $11,376 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Sociology at Illinois College

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

WIU also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $13,942 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WIU.

Read full report on Sociology at WIU

#14

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also took the #12 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $16,903 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Elmhurst

#15

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, McKendree University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Lebanon, Illinois, and it awarded 24 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

McKendree not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for McKendree University is $15,184 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Sociology at McKendree

#16

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Bradley University is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $17,205 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bradley Sociology Report

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 32 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also took the #14 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,060 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dominican U.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Sociology at Dominican U

#18

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Central is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Naperville, Illinois. It awarded 28 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,889 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Central College.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Central Sociology Report

#19

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomington, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois Wesleyan has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan University is $18,570 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,816 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Sociology Report

#21

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Augustana College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Augustana, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $20,355 for illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Augustana College

#22

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Millikin has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $17,656 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Sociology at Millikin

#23

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #23, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Chicago State University is $11,507 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full CSU Sociology Report

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,806 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Sociology at Olivet Nazarene

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 2 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,097 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Sociology Report

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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