2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
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2027 Best Value Sociology Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sociology Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $30,246. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for sociology. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,247. Sociology graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $42,710 early in their careers. Set against $11,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $41,062 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for sociology. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $40,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in sociology will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $11,691. Early-career sociology graduates make about $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $28,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $15,750. Sociology graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $31,975 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #8 for value in sociology this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $16,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College came in at #9 for value in sociology this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Sociology graduates carry a median of $14,650 in student loans. Early-career sociology graduates make about $40,515. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #10 for value in sociology this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $23,503 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,826. That is a strong return on a $23,503 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,358. Sociology graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $33,433 early in their careers. Set against $24,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam came in at #12 for value in sociology this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $26,000. Sociology graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $36,500 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #13 for value in sociology this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $28,676. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Stony Brook University earned the #14 position for value in sociology this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $32,912 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo placed #15 among the best values for sociology. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $21,226. Early-career sociology graduates make about $37,600. That is a strong return on a $21,226 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport placed #16 among the best values for sociology. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $24,456. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $33,566. That is a strong return on a $24,456 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #17 position for value in sociology this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $24,091 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $26,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #18 for value in sociology this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete the sociology program here. Early-career sociology graduates make about $33,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $18,945 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $28,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,945 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $19,949. Sociology graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $35,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,949 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #21 position for value in sociology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Sociology graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #22 position for value in sociology this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $30,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne College placed #23 among the best values for sociology. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,330 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,739 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Le Moyne College earn a median of $57,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount Saint Vincent placed #24 among the best values for sociology. College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $44,540 in tuition and fees. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Sociology graduates of College Of Mount Saint Vincent earn a median of $31,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Sociology graduates carry a median of $25,379 in student loans. Sociology graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $33,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Sociology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sociology value ranking:
View All Sociology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
