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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois

14 Colleges in the United States
$23,817 Avg Student Debt
$66,626 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Sociology Badge [Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sociology schools.

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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in Illinois

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

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for sociology in Illinois. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,315. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dominican University earned it the #3 place for sociology. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $31,657. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #4 spot this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,817 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $39,547 early in their careers. Set against $25,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for sociology. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,154. Sociology graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,154 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

Western Illinois University earned the #6 position for value in sociology this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $30,478. Sociology graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $27,000. Sociology graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $35,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #8 among the best values for sociology. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $35,415. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

9

Illinois State University earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $33,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $29,714. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

Mckendree University placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $40,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

Northwestern University earned the #12 position for value in sociology this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $14,567. Sociology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $38,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,567 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

13
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,644. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

14

Loyola University Chicago placed #14 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $34,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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