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2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

29 Ranked Colleges
860 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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.

This year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 29 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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Sociology (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $3,995 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Sociology at Northwestern University

#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 $30-$48k. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 51 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $2,800 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Sociology at University of Chicago

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 $30-$48k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIUC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Sociology Report

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 $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Edwardsville, Illinois, and it awarded 39 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $9,938 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at SIUE

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 80 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $11,185 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Sociology at University of Illinois at Chicago

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 75 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, NIU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $15,861 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at Northern Illinois University

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 28 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $11,316 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Sociology Report

#8

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

SXU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Xavier University is $11,962 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Sociology at SXU

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois State is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 83 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $14,999 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Illinois State Sociology Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $14,306 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Illinois College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $12,454 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Sociology at Illinois College

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $14,526 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Sociology at WIU

#13

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s sociology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Sociology at Wheaton College Illinois

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Dominican University is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U also took the #14 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,586 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dominican U.

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.

Read more about Sociology at Dominican U

#15

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Elmhurst is a small school located in Elmhurst, Illinois that handed out 19 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst University is $17,837 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 more about Sociology at Elmhurst

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 ’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Sociology Report

#17

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bradley University is a medium-sized school located in Peoria, Illinois that handed out 11 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also took the #11 spot in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $18,232 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Sociology at Bradley

#18

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. McKendree University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lebanon, Illinois. It awarded 24 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, McKendree has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McKendree University is $16,659 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at McKendree University

#19

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified ’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chicago State University is $11,844 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Read full report on Sociology at CSU

#20

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Central College is a small school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 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. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $20,128 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Sociology at North Central

#21

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Decatur, Illinois, and it awarded 9 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Millikin has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Millikin is $17,692 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin Sociology Report

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Illinois Wesleyan is a small school located in Bloomington, Illinois that handed out 6 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan also made our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $19,857 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Wesleyan University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Wesleyan Sociology Report

#23

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Augustana College is a small school located in Rock Island, Illinois that handed out 5 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Sociology Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $16,249 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Sociology at Augustana

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 1 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Olivet Nazarene University is $15,390 for illinois sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Olivet Nazarene

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 2 ’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $15,406 for Illinois Sociology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Sociology at Concordia University, Chicago

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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