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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

32 Ranked Colleges
195 Degrees Awarded
$31,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

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.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 195 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 32 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality sociology programs that also have a lower cost than 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’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 Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Sociology at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Sociology Master’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 Chicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Sociology Report

#4 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 15 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’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 U-M are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Sociology Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UW - Madison

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 32 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s 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. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Sociology Report

#6

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Notre Dame Sociology Report

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Purdue

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at IU Bloomington

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Ohio State

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Sociology Master’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 Michigan State are $37,056.

Read more about Sociology at Michigan State University

#11

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ball State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’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 Ball State University are $26,204.

Read more about Sociology at Ball State University

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Sociology Report

#21 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 4 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are $9,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at SIUE

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of Illinois at Chicago

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, NIU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Northern Illinois University

#10 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Case Western has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Case Western

#17

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at UWM

#22 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Sociology Master’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 SIUC are $32,928.

Full SIUC Sociology Report

#19

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Illinois State

#20

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Wayne State

#14 in overall quality

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students whose families make $0-$30k list, BGSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’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 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823.

Full BGSU Sociology Report

#22

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at WMU

#23

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Western Illinois University

#24

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

With a ranking of #24, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552.

Read more about Sociology at Eastern Michigan University

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

UC also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at UC

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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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