2027 Best Value Sociology Master’s Degree Schools
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sociology schools.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in the United States
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
California State University Fullerton tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $34,714. Set against $13,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for sociology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $50,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sociology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Sociology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $34,541. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,568 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Sociology graduates carry a median of $26,307 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #6 spot for sociology value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
American Public University System landed the #7 spot for sociology value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,278 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $47,633. That is a strong return on a $29,278 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,986. Early-career sociology graduates make about $31,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $12,600. Sociology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,600 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,988 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $27,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fayetteville State University placed #11 among the best values for sociology. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,888. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,544. Set against $31,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #12 spot for sociology value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Sociology graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $40,011 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #13 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,490. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $31,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #14 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $20,460. Early-career sociology graduates make about $34,150. That is a strong return on a $20,460 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #15 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,464. Sociology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $30,296 early in their careers. Set against $19,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University earned the #16 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,198. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $32,973. Set against $22,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,739. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $38,034. Set against $21,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #18 position for value in sociology this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $52,284. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arkansas earned the #19 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Sociology graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,566. Set against $24,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #20 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $28,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $44,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $31,000. Sociology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $58,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for sociology. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $36,506 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #23 for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $53,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Oklahoma City University landed the #24 spot for sociology value this year. Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Sociology graduates carry a median of $27,248 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $58,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
New York University came in at #25 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $22,697. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
Other Sociology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sociology rankings across degree levels:
View All Sociology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
