2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Washington

[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
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2026 Best Value Sociology Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sociology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best value for a degree in sociology in Washington. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,286. Sociology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $40,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Washington University one of the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $16,996. Sociology graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington State University earned it the #3 place for sociology. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Sociology graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $39,801. Set against $21,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sociology schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $36,466. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Western Washington University one of the best values for sociology. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,087 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,039. That is a strong return on a $20,087 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $25,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Whitworth University earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,873 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $32,727. That is a strong return on a $26,873 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $20,039 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. That is a strong return on a $20,039 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Gonzaga University earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,991. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.