by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sociology](/majors/social-sciences/sociology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sociology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for sociology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sociology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in sociology, no school beat Bowdoin College this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the sociology program here. Sociology graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $47,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,658 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Colby College one of the best values for sociology. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Typical student debt for sociology graduates is $22,016. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Bates College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sociology schools. Bates College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lewiston. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,610 to complete the sociology program here. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $42,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.