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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in the Great Lakes Region

30 Ranked Colleges
195 Degrees Awarded
$24,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 3,239 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,473 and $25,310 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 195 sociology graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in sociology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent sociology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the sociology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Sociology Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree sociology students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Sociology in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#17 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Illinois State

#21 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. SIUE is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students list, SIUE has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

BGSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at BGSU

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Illinois University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students list, NIU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at NIU

#6

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Western Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996.

Full WIU Sociology Report

#7

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 6 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Loyola Chicago

#8

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at Purdue

With a ranking of #9, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens also took the #20 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712.

Read full report on Sociology at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#10

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

DePaul University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 11 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

DePaul also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760.

Read more about Sociology at DePaul

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #11. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Sociology at UIUC

#11 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIC Sociology Report

#13

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Ball State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State University is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 7 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State are $26,204, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Sociology at Ball State

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large school is located in Akron, Ohio, and it awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read more about Sociology at University of Akron Main Campus

#15

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 5 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Sociology at IU Bloomington

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s sociology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644.

Read more about Sociology at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 3 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Sociology at IUPUI

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 3 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students list, WMU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Full WMU Sociology Report

#19

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. Eastern Michigan University is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan are $26,552.

Read full report on Sociology at Eastern Michigan

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Roosevelt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s sociology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt University are $21,605.

Read more about Sociology at Roosevelt University

#8 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 9 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State Sociology Report

#22

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Full Michigan State University Sociology Report

#23

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio

University of Toledo came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Toledo, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s sociology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067.

Read full report on Sociology at University of Toledo

#22 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s sociology degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Sociology Report

#25

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Sociology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree sociology students list, Wayne State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Sociology Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Sociology at Wayne State

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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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