by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 179 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools in California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $7,234. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Sociology graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for sociology. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Moorpark College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best values for sociology. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $6,999. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #10 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #12 spot for sociology value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $34,350. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
West Valley College placed #14 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College earned the #15 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $6,176. Early-career sociology graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College placed #17 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Saddleback College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #19 position for value in sociology this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #20 among the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Golden West College placed #21 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #22 for value in sociology this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $42,335. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pasadena City College placed #23 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $9,191. Early-career sociology graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #25 among the best values for sociology. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 179 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.